Can Managing Climate Risks Be a Catalyst for Broader Transformative Change?

This essay addresses the long-term effectiveness of urban climate change adaptation approaches, based, inter alia, on work in C40 city network. We argue that most cities, dominant framing risk management almost exclusively focuses short-term incrementalities and preventive solutions directly tackling hazards, vulnerability, exposure. approach has serious flaws, leading to missed opportunities for longer-term sustainable development. Until very recently, science usually provided only a marginal input planning design. any analysis associated services should be broadened beyond solely focusing impacts. In this context, development positive visions is key gap both research practice. A required from negatively addressing risks positively pursuing vision attractive, resilient, cities. The emphasis incremental shift towards transformation. embodies paradigm “function follows system” “system function”. For many also means procedural practice siloed top-down integrated, participatory Our main argument paper simple, transformation would not reduce but enhance overall environmental quality, economic opportunities, social wellbeing.