Assessing climate risk in small and intermediate towns and cities: A preliminary rapid appraisal tool and its application in Florencia, Colombia

Abstract

Globalization and urbanization have been two forces that have spread around the world in an accelerated form and without adequate planning in the localities where their impacts are greatest. In the case of Latin America, this is especially evident in small and intermediate towns and cities. Climate change is another force that combines with globalization and urbanization, generating severe impacts and major challenges for integrated planning. In this chapter, a preliminary rapid appraisal tool is provided as a first step for climate risk assessment. The methodology includes six stages, and is developed with the goal of identifying the climate risk hotspots, and existing and potential local responses. A pilot application was carried out in the city of Florencia, in south west Colombia. The results provide inputs for the formulation of local development strategies and policies, acting as a platform for initiating climate change adaptation.