Integrating Teaching and Learning with Inter-Disciplinary Action Research in Support of Climate Resilient Urban Development

Darryn McEvoy, Usha Iyer-Raniga, Serene Ho, David Mitchell, Veeriah Jegatheesan and Nick Brown
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Darryn McEvoy: School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Usha Iyer-Raniga: School of Property, Construction, and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Serene Ho: School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
David Mitchell: School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Veeriah Jegatheesan: School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Nick Brown: School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: The capital cities of the South Pacific are experiencing rapid urbanisation pressures as increasing numbers of people migrate to the primary cities either in search of employment and greater access to healthcare and education, or as a consequence of environmental ‘push’ factors. However, the limited capacity of municipal Governments to respond to the scale and pace of change is leading to a growth of informal settlements in peri-urban locations. Factors of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity combine to make these informal settlements the most vulnerable areas to natural hazards. In response to this critical urban resilience agenda, this paper looks at how participatory action research is providing inter-disciplinary scientific support for the implementation of urban resilience and climate actions in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Adaptation measures involve a combination of hard and soft actions; as well as activities designed to strengthen local capacity to respond to contemporary resilience challenges. Addressing the adaptive capacity component, this paper also highlights the opportunities for Australian universities to integrate teaching and learning with action research to achieve a substantive real-world impact in the Pacific region, as well as illustrating the capacity strengthening benefits that can be achieved through sustained engagement and collaborative partnerships with local organisations.

Keywords: climate actions; urban climate resilience; sustainable urban development; capacity building; SIDS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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