As the impacts of natural disasters intensify in the Philippines, it becomes increasingly important to consider land use planning in the rebuilding of the Yolanda-affected areas towards increasing resilience and avoiding or minimizing accumulation of risk. This is one of the key messages that came out in the recently released OML Center Science-Policy (SP) Brief entitled “Land Use Planning as an Approach to Climate Resiliency in Yolanda-affected Areas.” It highly encourages a greater focus on the preparation of Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) as these can be effective long-term planning instruments to improve climate resilience.

Using the experiences of Tacloban, Palo, and Ormoc when Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013, the SP brief listed issues concerned with infrastructure and policy implementation to arrive at recommendations that focus on research, continuous policy review, and increased stakeholder participation. The publication encourages the need for mainstreaming proactive solutions that give way to opportunities for cooperation and resource efficiency – qualities that significantly support the national effort towards sustainable development.

Get your e-copy of the SP Brief here.