81317134-Support to national and local urban risk and resilience management in Ecuador

The project "Resilient Cities" (CiRes), funded by the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has been promoting urban resilience in Ecuador since July 2023. The project's primary objective is to integrate comprehensive risk management approaches into both national policies and local urban development processes, considering current and future climate and disaster risks. With its focus on resilient urban development, CiRes aligns with the strategic priorities of sustainable urban development and contributes to the "Climate, Energy, and Just Transition" core area within the BMZ 2030 strategy. It also supports Ecuador's broader climate and disaster resilience commitments, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the New Urban Agenda. To realize these goals, the project adopts a multisectoral approach that bridges disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the urban context. It operates both at the national level-providing advisory services to institutions such as the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (MIDUVI), the National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNG), and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE)-and at the local level, working directly with the cities of Chone, Manta, Puyo, and Riobamba. Ecuador faces significant urban challenges due to its high vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change impacts. The country"s geographic and climatic conditions expose it to extreme events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and droughts, leading to substantial human and economic losses. Earthquakes alone have caused over USD 8.5 billion in damages over the past 50 years, while the cyclical El Niño and La Niña phenomena have also led to billions in losses. As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events are expected to increase, exacerbating economic and social impacts. With around 65% of the population living in cities, many in high-risk areas, the vulnerability of low-income communities is particularly high. In response, Ecuador"s National Development Plan 2021-2025 emphasizes citizen safety and risk management across all sectors. During the project, a new disaster risk management law was ratified to clarify state actor responsibilities. Moreover, the project supported a cooperation agreement between SNG and MAATE, which strengthened efforts to integrate disaster and climate risk considerations into local development and land-use plans (PDOT). The CiRes strategy is built around enhancing the capacities of institutions and professionals at the local, provincial, and national levels to address climate and disaster risks within the framework of urban development. In the four selected cities, the project aims to strengthen the expertise of city planning, risk management, and environmental departments. This strategy builds on the success of prior German and international development initiatives, particularly the CIS II (Intermediate Cities) project. Key objectives include improving urban resilience, integrating risk management into public investment planning, and promoting gender equality. CiRes delivers on its objectives through three core outputs: 1. Strengthening National Capacities: National authorities, including MIDUVI, SNG, and MAATE, will develop a shared understanding and practical tools for managing climate and disaster risks in cities. Pilot projects in selected cities will provide insights that will inform the creation of national resilience strategies. 2. Enhancing Local Implementation: Local governments will test and implement the national tools and procedures, integrating risk management into their urban planning processes. Special attention will be paid to the needs of marginalized groups-such as women, children, and ethnic minorities-ensuring their inclusion in planning and public investment decisions. 3. Fostering Collaboration: The project will enhance collaboration between cities, government authorities, and non-state actors, including universities and research institutions. By supporting data-sharing platforms and establishing a community of practice, CiRes will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices related to urban resilience.