
For the 3rd edition (May 28, 2020), we focus on the capacity and responsiveness of critical services – healthcare, social services, waste management – to meet changing demands of business and the community as cities begin to unlock. The role of a social work action plan can assist cities in identifying expected future demand into the recovery, and matching this demand with existing or increased capacity. Further, as countries start to undo pandemic response arrangements in their healthcare systems, there are potential equity and inclusiveness implications for meeting the needs of local communities. In Hawai’i, economic recovery plans are targeting underlying inequalities, responding to indigenous community needs, and reorienting the tourism sector towards a more balanced environmental, social and economic benefits. Shocks to our cities, from pandemics to changing climate related hazards, also reinforce that we need to continue to design our institutions and policies to be flexible in the face of uncertainty.
Produced by The University of Manchester, UK (Professor Duncan Shaw, Dr Jennifer Bealt, Dr Joy Furnival and Professor Ruth Boaden) in partnership with the Global Resilient Cities Network (Sam Kernaghan)