Don't be surprised if you have never heard of a "chief resilience officer" – until recently it's a job that didn't even exist. Yet as more cities wake up to the unmissable effects of climate heating, many are now appointing these specialists.
The role involves helping cities and inhabitants to withstand extreme weather events. Employment websites such as LinkedIn increasingly advertise positions beneath this banner.
As might be expected, a "resilient city" is one that can prevent crises before they become inevitable and recover from large shocks. The concept is applied primarily to natural disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes, etc.) but also to other large-scale events such as the Covid-19 pandemic or a major economic crisis.
More than just city planning
But how to build resilience? This is where the chief resilience officers come in. They develop plans for everything from pollution management, reduction of environmental inequalities, fight against urban heat islands, etc. Whilst many of these tasks might normally be the business of urban planners, resilience officers take a more holistic approach that is driven by the priority of longevity and resistance to changing climate, rather than simply improving appearance or efficiency.
In France, the role is currently held by Noémie Fompeyrine, head of resilience for the City of Paris. Following the lead of her predecessor Sébastien Maire, Fompeyrine has played a role in implementing the "Oasis" project, whereby school playgrounds are fitted with materials that reflect the sun's rays, as well as constructing plant huts or educational gardens.
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"Designed as real islands of freshness in the heart of the districts, these will also be available to a wider audience outside of the school schedules and become refuges for vulnerable people during heat waves," explains the City of Paris on its website.
Milan is considered a model city in terms of resilience and has had a "chief resilience officer" since 2018. In addition to its many bike paths, the city stands out for its urban forest "Bosco Verticale" with more than a hundred trees that aim to reduce carbon emissions, reduce noise pollution and cool the streets.
The Bosco Verticale in Milan. Credit: Canva
Since the middle of 2021, "chief heat officer" positions have also emerged in several major cities such as Athens (Greece), Phoenix (United States) or Freetown (Sierra Leone). The role of these heat managers is not so different from the examples cited, except that they focus specifically on dealing with heat waves.
