Mekong - U.S. Partnership
The Mekong–Building Climate Resilience in Asian Cities (M-BRACE) program, in partnership with Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN), has built up a learning network for urban planners, meteorologists, hydrologists, Municipal Public Works officials, NGOs, and academics from seven cities across Thailand.
On 26-27 November 2013 network members came together in Bangkok to discuss the implications of urbanization and climate change. The multi-stakeholder dialogue, hosted by the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), in collaboration with the Institute of Social and Environmental Transition (ISET), focused on flooding as a critical issue of urban and social development. City representatives of Udon Thani, Phuket, M-BRACE Hat Yai and Chiang Rai, and ACCCRN, joined by representatives of Khon Kaen, Thung Song and Phanat Nikhom, shared experiences and lessons learned from past and recent flood events.
The dialogue highlighted shared problems and experiences, particularly around changing patterns of precipitation, the challenges of managing existing water infrastructure, the need for more reliable data and information, and the need for more effective land use planning and public participation. Participants also planned for translating this experience into practical action and for disseminating it across the country with support from the National Municipal League of Thailand (NMLT).
Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly Update
