How can urban emergency plans be more inclusive?

1 The importance of inclusion

Inclusive urban emergency planning means that the plans consider and address the specific challenges and opportunities of different groups of people, such as women, children, elderly, disabled, ethnic minorities, migrants, poor, or homeless. These groups may face barriers to access information, resources, services, or decision-making processes related to emergency management. They may also have different preferences, values, and expectations about how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Inclusive urban emergency planning aims to ensure that all urban residents are protected, empowered, and supported during emergencies, and that their rights, dignity, and well-being are respected.

2 The benefits of inclusion

Inclusive urban emergency planning can bring multiple benefits for urban resilience and sustainability. First, it can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency management by reducing the gaps and mismatches between the needs and capacities of urban residents and the interventions and services provided by authorities and agencies. Second, it can improve the equity and justice of emergency management by reducing the disparities and discriminations that may affect some groups more than others during emergencies. Third, it can foster the participation and collaboration of urban residents in emergency management by recognizing and mobilizing their diverse knowledge, skills, and resources. Fourth, it can promote the learning and innovation of emergency management by incorporating the feedback and perspectives of different groups into the evaluation and improvement of emergency plans.

4 The strategies for inclusion

Inclusive urban emergency planning requires a combination of strategies and actions to address challenges and barriers. For example, multi-hazard scenarios and simulations can capture the complexity of urban emergencies and test the suitability of emergency plans for different groups. Additionally, multi-stakeholder platforms and networks can facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among different actors. Moreover, collecting and analyzing disaggregated data can provide a comprehensive picture of the diversity of urban populations and their needs during emergencies. Lastly, empowering and engaging different groups in emergency planning and management is essential by providing them with information, resources, services, and opportunities to participate in decision-making processes.

5 The examples of inclusion

Inclusive urban emergency planning is not just an idea, but a practical reality that can be found in cities globally. For instance, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is a global agreement that guides governments, civil society, and private sector to reduce disaster risk and increase resilience. This framework emphasizes the importance of inclusion and participation of all stakeholders, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. Additionally, the Inclusive Resilience Program is a partnership between the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery that assists cities in developing countries to enhance their resilience and inclusion. This program provides technical assistance, capacity building, and financing to help cities design inclusive strategies that meet the needs of different groups. Finally, the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project is an initiative of UN-Habitat and the European Union that works with eight cities in Europe and Latin America to improve urban planning for family well-being. This project uses a participatory and inclusive approach to involve families and communities in finding solutions to urban challenges such as housing, mobility, safety, or environment.