Resilience Planning and Project Finance Process:
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Identify and Address Data Gaps

Urban Resilience Roadmap
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Identify and Address Data Gaps
Introduction Competencies/Skills Tools Tips Supporting Entities Potential Outputs
Introduction

The next step is to “validate” each of the options to determine which are most viable for the local context.  Validating options is one of the first steps in evidence-based decision making for allocating resources and identifying bankable project proposals.  Through this step the city must document the need for the project by using technical information and describing how the project fits in with existing planning framework, policies, and directives.   

Validation also involves identifying existing studies and scientific/technical information that supports the urgency, viability, and effectiveness of each of the identified options.  For example, in the case of flood control options, a city might draw on an existing hydrological study or master planning document to demonstrate why the options are necessary.  In many cases this process will reveal data and knowledge gaps, and hence will inform the types of additional studies and assessments that will need to be completed to narrow down and elaborate on the identified options.

Finally the city should recognize jurisdictional and legal aspects as they relate to the preferred options.  This refers to the legal and logistical considerations that will ultimately determine the city’s ability to implement projects.  For example, consider flood management infrastructure.  Does the city currently have the authority to authorize and implement new capital expenditure projects, or must this be approved by higher levels of government?  If the latter is the case, city officials should begin at this stage to coordinate with the necessary agencies at higher levels of government to ensure that no legal-administrative obstacles emerge during later steps.  Understanding the jurisdictional aspects also entails describing how the option adheres to or complies with higher-level directives and mandates.    

During step 3 the long list of adaptation options should be narrowed down based on the aforementioned criteria of relevance to existing goals and policy frameworks, preliminary technical feasibility, and fit within the city’s jurisdiction.

Tools/Resources
Tips
  • Studies should be conducted to determine the social acceptability and appropriateness of potential project options; and
  • Willingness-to-pay studies can help project proponents consider cost-recovery options and potential entries for private sector involvement, thus increasing the economic viability of projects.  
Supporting Entities/Processes
  • CDIA;
  • Local universities;
  • ICLEI; and
  • UN-Habitat
Potential Outputs
  • Modelling studies (e.g. hydrological studies) to understand physical dynamics driving change; and
  • Socio-economic analyses (e.g. traffic analysis, behavioral and perception studies) to quantify demand, willingness to pay, and other economic and social aspects related to the project ideas.