CRIC: Experts Convene for Thematic Panel in Makassar

MAKASSAR, Indonesia: United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) under its Climate Resilient and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) project organised a thematic panel of experts and conducted training to discuss challenges, and opportunities, share solutions, and foster cooperation amongst CRIC stakeholders at the Novotel Makassar Grand Shayla, from March 5-7, 2024.

This European Union-funded project fosters collaboration between cities and research centres in Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, with implementation happening in 10 pilot cities across Indonesia. The project, which collaborates with major organisations such as Pilot4Dev and ECOLISE, ACR+, UGE, and AIILSG, aims to improve the capacity of selected municipal governments to plan for the effects of climate change. AIILSG is among the key partners. The training event was attended by about 100 participants consisting of the 10 CRIC pilot cities in Indonesia, namely Bandar Lampung, Cirebon, Samarinda, and others, as well as the hosting city—Makassar City.

The event began with remarks from Thibaut Portevin, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation for Indonesia/ASEAN. Explaining about the event he said, “The panel will showcase the thematic tools developed by CRIC partners on early warning and disaster management to increase cities’ resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Project pilot cities and cities involved in triangular cooperation will also receive training on urban resilience on urban resilience and waste management. We hope this event could provide insight to help cities develop and implement policies and tools to strengthen climate change-affected sectors.” The opening remarks were given by UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and Ir H Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto, Mayor of Makassar City. They welcomed the delegates in Indonesia and the city of Makassar.

The event facilitated dialogue for the implementation of thematic tools and training materials (Early Warning System and Urban Resilience) developed by CRIC partners (UGE and Pilot4Dev) for three CRIC pilot cities (Bandar Lampung, Pangkalpinang and Ternate) for possible replication in other cities. Three cities (Makassar, Samarinda, and Semarang) shared Learning on Urban Resilience and EWS. The second day focused on Thematic Training on Urban Resilience and Risks Management. Presentations on the tool ‘Early Warning System and Disaster Management’ were delivered by Prof Yousef Diab, Université Gustave Eiffel (UGE) and Dr Pascaline Gaborit, Director, Pilot4Dev.

The last day was planned for visiting the Nipa-Nipa Water Retention Site in Makassar, facilitated by Dr Suryadarma Hasyim, S T, M T, Head of the Pompengan Jeneberang River Basin Center. This is one of the infrastructures in flood prevention efforts in Makassar city. The flood control is carried out by regulating the flow of the Tallo River and Jeneberang River. Through a spillway, the Regulation Pool would hold water during periods of high flooding. Later, it would be drained back downstream of the Tallo River using pumps and a regulating door that uses gravity.

Another one of the Makassar City Government’s initiatives to be disaster-resistant is Lorong Wisata or Tourism Hallway. The participants were invited to tour the Tourism Hallway- Dewi Sari Zurich, located in Tamalanrea Village, to see various food commodities from the Women Farmers Group, food cultivation products, Resident Shelters, MSME products, Waste Bank and other advantages in the Tourism Hallway.

The Knowledge exchange, training and mentoring provided by CRIC empowers cities to grasp the urgency of climate change within their respective regions, thus facilitating the development of local climate action plans that are both resilient and inclusive.