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Cities, Settlements and Infrastructure - Transformative Urban Adaptation

Tracks
Cities, Settlements and Infrastructure
Monday, October 13, 2025
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Conway 5

Speaker

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Dr Meg Parsons
Associate Professor
Waipapa Taumata Rau / University of Auckland

Fostering capacity for transformative climate action in cities: insights and lessons from participatory research

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Biography

Dr Meg Parsons is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland. Of Ngāpuhi, Lebanese, and Pākehā heritage, her research explores Indigenous environmental governance, climate adaptation, and climate justice using decolonising theorising. She is co-editor-in-chief of Climate Risk Management and associate editor of Humanities and Social Science Communication.
Prof Patricia Romero-Lankao
Research Chair, Network for Equity iSustainability Transitions
University of Toronto

Fostering capacity for transformative climate action in cities: insights and lessons from participatory research

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Abstract

Supporting Material

Biography

During her career, Paty has developed a research agenda that connects science, society, and policy in cities globally. She has developed comparative approaches to studying governance dynamics shaping unequal capacities to plan for and foster climate action. Paty strives to foster capacity among urban actors to promote equitable and sustainable change.
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Prof Gina Ziervogel
Professor
University of Cape Town

Fostering capacity for transformative climate action in cities: insights and lessons from participatory research

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Biography

Gina Ziervogel is Director of the African Climate and Development Initiative and Professor in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her research focuses on climate change adaptation and development with a focus on urban governance and water and transdisciplinary approaches.
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Ana Serrano
Senior Advisor Climate Resilience
Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Transforming communities: three years of community-led adaptation initiatives

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Abstract

Biography

Ana Serrano is a seasoned Coastal Engineer with over a decade of experience in climate adaptation. She is dedicated to enhancing community resilience by boosting climate literacy, equipping our communities with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions on their adaptation journey.
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Dr S. Jeff Birchall
Associate Professor
University of Alberta

Progress on climate change adaptation in practice: Insights from local and territorial government interactions

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Abstract

Biography

Jeff is an Associate Professor of Local-scale Climate Change Adaptation/ Resilience, in the School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Alberta, where he serves as Director of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lab. Jeff is a registered professional planner. Desiree is a PhD candidate, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Alberta. Her research explores how climate change influences health outcomes in Canadian cities, with specific focus on the role of adaptation and planning to support community resilience. She is a registered nurse, with experience in urban trauma medicine. Nicole is a PhD candidate, Dept of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta; her research explores local-scale climate impacts and adaptations, with a focus on policy/ action implementation.
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Ms Nicole Bonnett
PhD Candidate
University of Alberta / Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Progress on climate change adaptation in practice: Insights from local and territorial government interactions

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Biography

Nicole is a PhD candidate, Dept of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta; her research explores local-scale climate impacts and adaptations, with a focus on policy/ action implementation.
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Ms Desiree Rose
PhD Candidate
University of Alberta / School of Urban and Regional Planning

Progress on climate change adaptation in practice: Insights from local and territorial government interactions

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Biography

Desiree is a PhD candidate, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Alberta. Her research explores how climate change influences health outcomes in Canadian cities, with specific focus on the role of adaptation and planning to support community resilience. She is a registered nurse, with experience in urban trauma medicine.
Prof Mark Howden
Emeritus Professor
Australian National University

Facilitator

Biography

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