Governing local climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through resettlement and upgrading in Metro Manila

Abstract

The Philippines is at the frontier of climate adaptation globally. Given the current IPCC projections, more frequent and severe flooding will affect coastal cities worldwide due to sea-level rise as well as heavy precipitation events. The issue of managing at-risk settlements, whether by means of in-situ upgrading or resettlement, is therefore an important task of urban governance and planning for successful future local climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Especially in Metro Manila, the Philippine capital region, managed retreat and upgrading of informal settlements have become an important adaptation strategy in coastal and flood-prone areas. However, strategic governance is mainly directed towards the local government units (LGUs), thus at the local scale, making it a challenging task to comprehensively navigate and compare local measures across the national, regional and local scales. Nonetheless, overall risk management is needed to sustain coordinated efforts for protecting development gains in the long run. Therefore, a combination of governance, risk assessment, knowledge management and vulnerability preparedness strategies, which not only enhances local leadership and participative structures, but also comprehensive, strategic environmental resource management and continuous capability building, is imperative. Ultimately, risk management needs to be mainstreamed into development approaches at all scales to sufficiently develop community resilience.

The present contribution, being embedded in a five-year project on linking disaster risk governance and land-use planning (LIRLAP), therefore assesses firstly how planned relocation and upgrading is governed through legal and strategic frameworks at various scales. Further it examines current instruments, methods and processes that are shaping policy implementation dynamics and discusses their limitations. Focusing on the differences in local adaptation needs, the policy implementation strategies across the National Capital Region are being analyzed. Methodologically carrying out a qualitative document analysis on strategic planning documents, additional stakeholder interviews further allow an examination of local practices and existing implementation conflicts.

Based on the carried-out analysis, it demonstrates potential entry gaps for policy mainstreaming and reflects upon important opportunities for future climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction governance Pointing out whether, when and how to potentially embark on planned relocation, is a key and at the same time rising challenge for many cities around the globe. In taking that perspective, it adds to present discussions on local climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction governance, highlighting opportunities for a more synergistic approach in the future.