Resilience Hubs: Shifting Power to Communities through Action

Abstract

This chapter describes a way to operationalize equity in resilience work and shift power from government to community members and partners through the development of neighborhood Resilience Hubs. It identifies Resilience Hubs as an actionable solution to increase community self-determination while working at the intersection of climate resilience, greenhouse gas mitigation, human health, and emergency management. The chapter begins by reframing resilience and utilizing a more comprehensive and human-centered approach to increasing community resilience by introducing the concept of Resilience Hubs. In everyday mode, Resilience Hubs act as trusted neighborhood spaces that provide a range of community-determined services and programming and access to community spaces such as gardens, recreation, or green spaces. For short-term disruptions, Resilience Hubs provide a location where emergency response partners can drop off supplies and provide additional resources to those with the most need, channeled through a space they trust, feel safe, and have a sense of ownership.