At the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Institute of Spatial and Regional Planning (IREUS) and the Institute for Roads and Transport Planning (ISV), University of Stuttgart, organised a side event titled “Data-Empowered Urban Climate Action: Digital Solutions for Urban Planning in a Changing Climate” as part of the Urban-Act project. The event was supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
International experts, practitioners, and researchers exchanged experiences on digital tools and participatory approaches for urban climate resilience. The session brought together a diverse international audience of more than 30 participants from different countries and professional backgrounds.
The event focused on how digital and data-driven approaches can support climate-sensitive urban planning, strengthen risk-informed decision-making, and improve resilience in rapidly urbanising cities. Discussions covered topics including climate risk mapping, open-data transport planning, participatory governance, urban climate services, and vulnerability assessments for housing and public transport systems.
Prof. Dr.-Ing Joern Birkmann delivered a keynote speech on “Digital tools for climate resilient urban development” while Dr.-Ing. Ali Jamshed presented the contribution “Mapping residential vulnerability: At-risk residential clusters from digital household data” The presentation highlighted innovative approaches combining open-source geospatial information with digitally collected household data to identify urban vulnerability hotspots and support socially inclusive climate adaptation planning. Case studies from Bacolod (Philippines), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Panaji (India) demonstrated how locally contextualised indicators and digital data collection can improve evidence-based urban planning and prioritisation of interventions.
In addition, Dr.-Ing. Ali Jamshed also participated as a panellist in the networking event “From Risk to Resilience – Placing Housing at the Forefront of Climate-Sensitive Planning,” organised by TERI India and partners during WUF13. The panel discussion brought together international experts and policymakers to exchange perspectives on housing resilience, participatory planning, climate risk assessments, and inclusive urban governance. He highlighted the need to better integrate climate risk knowledge into everyday urban planning and housing decisions, emphasising that resilience must become a core part of governance rather than an environmental add-on. He also stressed that effective climate-sensitive planning requires meaningful community participation, where local knowledge and lived experiences actively shape inclusive and resilient urban strategies
The networking event emphasised the importance of integrating climate risk considerations into housing and spatial planning frameworks while promoting participatory approaches and locally informed decision-making. Discussions highlighted how climate-sensitive planning can contribute to safer housing systems, stronger communities, and more resilient cities.
The participation of IREUS at WUF13 further strengthened international exchange and collaboration on urban climate resilience and demonstrated the growing importance of integrating digital innovation, vulnerability assessments, and participatory planning approaches into sustainable urban development.
