In the heart of southeast suburban Houston, near the Buffalo Bayou, residents of a manufactured-home community took an innovative approach to climate challenges. By purchasing the land beneath their homes, they not only established ownership but also implemented improved drainage systems and shared resources for home repairs. This proactive strategy allowed their neighborhood to withstand Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a severe winter freeze in 2021 with minimal damage.
This community is a shining example of the growing trend towards the Resident Owned Community (ROC) model for manufactured home parks. Traditionally, many inhabitants of mobile homes do not own the land, leaving them vulnerable to eviction and environmental threats. By forming an ROC, these residents empower themselves to tackle climate risks and create a stable living environment.
This issue reflects a broader concern: urban areas often see lower-income residents facing heightened vulnerability to natural disasters like flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires. While city-wide initiatives can enhance disaster resilience, they may inadvertently contribute to the displacement of already marginalized communities—such as transforming flood-prone areas into storm barriers.
“The global climate crisis has very differential effects on cities and their neighborhoods,” explains Lawrence Vale, a professor of urban studies at MIT and co-author of the insightful new book, “The Equitably Resilient City.” Published by MIT Press along with co-author Zachary B. Lamb, PhD ’18, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley, the book examines how low- and middle-income communities can successfully drive climate initiatives while preventing displacement and encouraging community governance.
Vale emphasizes the importance of viewing climate challenges from a holistic perspective: “We can either fall into despair regarding climate issues or see them as solvable problems requiring equitable solutions.” The book prompts readers to consider the interconnectedness of environmental impacts with issues like job security and community involvement.
“Equitable climate adaptation involves both transforming the physical landscape of cities and innovating governance practices to counter deep-rooted inequalities,” adds Lamb.
Exploring Twelve Global Projects
“The Equitably Resilient City” began with a thorough investigation of approximately 200 case studies but ultimately spotlighted twelve remarkable projects worldwide, including those in the U.S., Brazil, Thailand, and France. Vale and Lamb collaborated with local research teams and conducted interviews in nine languages, exploring diverse community-led initiatives.
Each of the twelve projects addresses environmental progress while enhancing local civic and economic conditions. The authors introduce the acronym LEGS—representing Livelihood, Environment, Governance, and Security—to highlight the necessity of balanced advancement across these four dimensions.
Vale notes, “Achieving excellence in any one of these areas deserves recognition, but excelling in all four is truly remarkable.” Understanding not just what these communities accomplished but also how they engaged their members is crucial. Their focus is on those achieving progress through collaborative efforts in challenging circumstances.
One compelling example comes from São Paulo, Brazil, where low-income residents of a hilly favela received new housing on safer, undeveloped land. Meanwhile, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, community groups formed coalitions to devise equitable solutions for flooding challenges, ensuring that despite necessary construction work, local livelihoods could thrive and environmental quality could improve.
Vale reflects on historical planning practices: “There’s a backlash against large-scale urban strategies that disregard community input, particularly those from the mid-20th century.” The enduring theme within “The Equitably Resilient City” is that urban spaces can become contested political arenas. Meaningful solutions often arise when local groups mobilize, advocate for new approaches, and garner the support needed to implement them.
“Every case we reviewed likely has decades of grassroots efforts backing it, often rooted in complex political histories. Yet, surprisingly, these communities have pushed forward,” says Vale.
Local Progress: A Blueprint for Global Adaptation
Another critical message from “The Equitably Resilient City” is the significant role of local initiatives in shaping environments. Communities possess immense value when they implement projects tailored to their unique needs. Vale and Lamb are passionate about scalable projects, dedicating a chapter to the Paris OASIS initiative, which has created beautifully designed green school playgrounds across Paris. These projects not only boost environmental education but also assist with urban heat reduction and flooding, adding valuable greenery to the city’s landscape.
While a single park may have limited impact, the overarching concept is globally adaptable.
“The focus of this book is on local initiatives instead of sweeping national policies,” Vale states, “and we hope these examples will inspire others to tailor solutions to their situations.”
Of course, urban geographies and governance structures will vary widely from cities like Paris to São Paulo, but principles related to enhancing public spaces and securing affordable housing can resonate universally.
The authors also highlight Portland, Oregon’s Cully neighborhood, where community leaders initiated a range of eco-friendly urban improvements, all while creating and preserving affordable housing options. The aim in Cully, as in all case studies, is to bolster climate resilience while enriching neighborhoods already inhabited by long-standing residents.
“The need for climate adaptation will generate immense resources to reshape cities globally,” adds Lamb. “These case studies illustrate pathways to simultaneously enhance urban resilience and foster greater equity. In fact, making cities fairer can naturally support their resilience efforts.”
Scholarly commentaries have celebrated the book’s insights. Eric Klinenberg, director of New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge, dubbed it “at once scholarly, constructive, and uplifting.” He emphasizes its relevance in showcasing the potential for more just urban environments.
Vale has embraced these ideas in his classes, finding that MIT students, regardless of their backgrounds, are eager to explore innovative approaches to climate resilience: “Our students are driven to apply their technical abilities to urgent global challenges, especially during this climate crisis. We aim to highlight promising solutions and demonstrate the transformative potential of urban spaces.”
Environment, Innovation, Social Media
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
