Colleagues from the Disaster Research Unit (DRU), and as part of the INCREASE project, Verena Flörchinger and Vicente Sandoval recently participated in the RC21 Conference 2024 in Santiago de Chile, organized by the Research Committee 21 (Sociology of Urban and Regional Planning) of the International Sociological Association (ISA). The conference, titled “The politics and spaces of encounters: advancing dialogues between and within the Global North and the Global South,” provided a platform for in-depth discussions on urban and regional planning issues.

(Source: PUC, 2024)

Verena and Vicente organized a panel titled "Bridging hierarchies for mutual learning: Advancing international cooperation in urban disaster risk and resilience research." This panel featured presentations from several scholars and specialists who shared their insights on the dynamic landscape of global research collaboration. The discussions highlighted the gaps, challenges, and opportunities inherent in international research partnerships between the Global North and the Global South, particularly in the context of urban disaster risk and resilience research, with a focus on sustainable development and climate change.

The panel included presentations from:

• Katherine Campos-Knothe (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile & CIGIDEN, Chile) on "Local Realities, Global Lessons: Bridging Perspectives on Urban Disaster Risk in Informal Settlements."
• Rocío González Ramirez (IDOM Consulting, México) on "Implementation challenges and general capabilities developed in capacity building processes’ efforts through international cooperation for disaster risk management with special emphasis on the metropolitan regions of San Salvador and Tegucigalpa, Central America."
• Daniela Ejsmentewicz Cáceres (Universidad de Chile & CITRID, Chile) on "Legal geography as an element for critical comparison in disaster law. The case of the San Ramón geological fault."
• Aksel Ersoy (Delft University of Technology, Netherlands) on "Adapting a systems perspective for sectoral coordination: approaching flood resilience in Houston and Accra."
• Xixi Jiang (University of California, Berkeley, USA & China) on "Crisis as a mode of urban knowledge production from the South."

The presentations and subsequent discussions were stimulating and refreshing, offering valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of global research collaboration. The panel underscored the importance of bridging hierarchies for mutual learning and advancing international cooperation in urban disaster risk and resilience research.

Additionally, Verena presented "Silent Hazards: Unfolding Impacts and Vulnerability of Heatwaves and Droughts from a Cross-Regional Perspective" in the panel "Resilient Futures: Navigating Disasters, Empowering Women, and Shaping Sustainable Settlements" organised by Melis Oğuz Cevik (Gebze Technical University, Turkey). Likewise, Vicente presented "Navigating cross-regional learning and knowledge exchange in urban planning and resilience: Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Integrated Disaster Risk Management" in the panel "North-South dialogues in urban planning" organised by Sonia Roitman (The University of Queensland, Australia).

The participation of the DRU in such international forums continues to strengthen our commitment to addressing global challenges through collaborative research and dialogue.

For more information about the RC21 Conference: https://rc21conference2024.coes.cl