The fountain is a frequent meeting place for locals in the bustling Zhetysu Park. It features a daily evening program with coloured lights accompanied by classical and modern music during the warm months. (Photo by: Nur-Sultan Akimat)

Cities are designed according to current or past conditions. Urbanization can lead to reduced infiltration, increased runoff and water demand, and urban heat island effect while climate change can also magnify existing risks and vulnerabilities of urban areas.

Redeveloping urban areas through ecosystem-based adaptation measures can make cities more resilient to the hazards of extreme weather and better cope with water surplus or shortage, heat stress, and land subsidence. Implementing such measures can also result in co-benefits for public health, biodiversity and social well-being

In order to address adaptation measures within the framework of Kazakhstan's commitments under the Paris Agreement, ADB is supporting the development of the Climate Resilient City Tool – Nur-Sultan, a web-based mapping tool for climate resilient urban planning. The tool facilitates dialogue between policymakers, government authorities, planners, designers, and practitioners in in the field of spatial planning / design, water management, landscaping, housing, urban green, urban development / redevelopment in exploring options of urban planning. It will also support decision-making on applicable ecosystem-based adaptation measures and their resilience impact at a pilot area designated by the Akimat. Using the tool will help foster a culture of collaborative city planning replacing the practice of working in silos and utilizing single sector-driven development and planning.

Organized by the ADB Kazakhstan Resident Mission, this workshop is part of the activities under ADB’s Regional Technical Assistance (RETA 9308): Promoting Low-Carbon Development in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program Cities funded by the Clean Technology Fund. The collaboration between the Nur-Sultan Akimat and ADB aims to develop several pilot projects in the city using low-carbon technologies with significant potential for long-term greenhouse gas emissions savings.