Mysore/Mysuru: The two-day workshop on ‘Urban Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Change’ organised by the University of Mysore’s (UoM) School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) and sponsored by Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), began at Prof. K.S. Rangappa auditorium in School of Planning and Architecture premises in Manasagangothri campus here this morning.

Speaking after inaugurating the workshop, UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath said “Cities are at the forefront of climate change impacts and urban vulnerability. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas and this proportion is expected to increase to nearly 70 percent by 2050. India’s urban landscape is undergoing unparalleled transformation. With over 35 percent of the population residing in urban areas and that share projected to reach 40 percent by 2035, driven by rural migration, cities are increasingly becoming engines of economic growth, social opportunity and demographic dynamism. Urban areas concentrate people, assets, infrastructure and economic activity, making them both engines of development and hotspots of climate risk”. Pointing out that Urban Vulnerability Assessment (UVA) has emerged as a critical tool to understand how climate change affects cities, Prof. Lokanath observed that today, cities are most at risk and as such, they need targeted interventions.

Dr. S. Gopiprasad, Head ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) of Puravankara and Provident Housing Limited, Bengaluru, who delivered the keynote address, said that the workshop provides a professional overview of climate change in the urban context and explains the purpose, framework and application of Urban Vulnerability, Assessments in Planning and Decision-Making.

This workshop focuses specially on Exposure, Sensitivity and Adaptative capacity, he said adding that it will also deals with understanding the components of Urban Vulnerability Assessment, which includes Biophysical, Socio-economic, Environmental, Geospatial Mapping and Analysis and Stakeholders Engagement in assessment action.

The two-day workshop which concludes tomorrow (Jan.3), features four technical sessions, with two sessions each day.