All across the world, extreme weather is increasing, and so are national security threats. These changes have made it essential to consider community emergency strategies and safe spaces that can help communities thrive in changing times.
What are Resilience Hubs?
Resilience hubs are defined as:
“physical, community-serving facilities that support residents, distribute needed resources, reduce carbon pollution, and enhance quality of life.”
They offer community organizations and government agencies a localized way to support vulnerable communities before, during, and after extreme weather events or disasters. Community meeting spaces such as churches, malls, schools, recreational centers and community organizations can all serve as resilience hubs.
Mapping Resilience
The United States government offers several tools to advance resiliency awareness. Resilience.climate.gov offers data and mapping tools to assess how vulnerable your neighborhood may be to a hazardous event. The Department of Homeland Security also maintains a map of Resilience Hubs across the country. However, immigration status and other security considerations should be weighed before visiting federally operated resilience hubs. Several local municipalities, including Baltimore City, have unique resilience strategies that are not reliant on the federal government.
The Urban Sustainability Directors Network compiled a helpful guidebook for communities interested in developing inclusive, safe resilience hubs that account for the needs of marginalized and immigrant communities.
Read it below:
