The Urban Pulse program, a collaboration between the Resilient Cities Network and Yale University, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, explores the complex intersections between climate, health and equity in cities. This initiative is building and sharing collective intelligence with cities and partners worldwide to inspire urban actions that contribute to a more sustainable, healthy and resilient future.
Launched during New York Climate Week, the report titled “The Urban Pulse: Identifying Solutions at the Intersection of Climate, Health, and Equity” is now available. Based on a survey of over 118 cities and key informant interviews conducted earlier this year, this report provides invaluable insights into the priorities and challenges cities face globally. In this episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast, we delve into the key insights from the study and offer targeted, actionable recommendations for cities to enhance resilience at the intersection of climate, health and equity.
The Speakers
Patricia Himschoot
Carolina Theler
Jeannette Ickovics
Lauren Sorkin
About Patricia Himschoot
With a PhD in Biological Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Mathematical Ecology, Patricia specializes in climate change, environmental information systems, and transboundary watershed management. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with prestigious international organizations including the IDB, UNDP, World Bank, and the Spanish agency for development cooperation, AECID, as well as significant roles in environmental projects and government positions. Patricia has also contributed extensively to scientific literature, including the design of the IPCC report cities, and is currently the Director of Scientific Affairs at Fundación R21 and the Climate Change Manager for the Government of Buenos Aires.
About Carolina Theler
Carolina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires, is pursuing a master’s degree in Sustainable Urban Technologies at the Faculty of Engineering of UBA and has postgraduate studies in Climate Change. She began her career in the Government of the City of Buenos Aires in 2013, working on various projects related to urban solid waste management and environmental awareness.
In 2017 and 2018, she led the area of Cleaning and Waste Management for the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. She served as an advisor in the Sub secretariat of Urban Hygiene and has been heading the General Directorate of Environmental Policy and Strategy since 2022.
About Jeannette Ickovics
Jeannette R. Ickovics is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health and of Psychology at Yale University. She was the Founding Director of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health (2000-2012). Dr. Ickovics is Director of CARE: Community Alliance for Research and Engagement — committed to bringing “evidence to action” to improve health.
She is also Deputy Director for the Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, where she served as Director of Training since its inception from 1999-2014. Dr. Ickovics’ research investigates the interplay of complex biomedical, behavioral, social and psychological factors that influence individual and community health.
About Lauren Sorkin
As Executive Director of the Resilient Cities Network, Lauren oversees global efforts to strengthen cities in the face of the complex and interconnected challenges they face. Leading a Team of professionals in Mexico City, New York, Rotterdam and Singapore in collaboration with Chief Resilience Officers in more than 40 countries, she drove the co-design process to launch Global Resilient Cities Network as an independent city-led network organization.
Lauren serves as an advisor and spokesperson on urban resilience, women’s leadership sustainable finance, climate risk, stakeholder engagement, and urbanization trends. She is on the Advisory Board of several sustainability focused initiatives including Food Tank, the Singapore Sustainability Summit (S3), and Natural Capital.
Previously with the Asian Development Bank, Lauren led the Bank’s first ever climate change investment plan before moving to the ADB’s Vietnam Office to mainstream climate risks and opportunities in the country’s US$7 billion portfolio. Before joining the ADB, she worked with USAID to implement clean energy, climate change and conservation projects in Asia, Africa and South America. She has published work on biofuels, climate change, public speaking for social impact, infant mortality and HIV/AIDS.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Tufts University and a Master of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics. She lives in Singapore with her husband and two daughters where she can be found practicing contemporary dance, yoga and singing while working towards a better future.
