Page 14 - Asia Speaks

2)URBAN RESILIENCE by Dura Adibah Binti Roslan
Urban resilience has become an important topic ranging from climate change to economic issues. The effect of rapid urbanization comes with many challenges, such as overcrowded, traffic congestion, and economic imbalanced. Tackling urban resilience requires many stakeholders’ involvement. One of the most important stakeholders is youth. Youth represents 60% of the Asia Pacific population. Youth are future leaders, and they play a significant role in shaping the country in the future. Youth are an integral part of our society. They are part of the nation-building force; therefore, youth should be included in the urban resilience initiative, especially involving the community. Their engagement with the community is vital in mobilizing urban resilience. Their involvement with the community will help them not only to understand the need of the community and create, and develop programmes for the city, especially its community, but also be part of the community development. There are many communities in need of youth participation. Currently, most of the youth participation in the community is more community work. However,
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this kind of programme should be further strengthened through value-added programmes. Youth participation and engagement can be extended to the community through social innovation. Social innovations are new social practices that aim to meet social needs in a better way than the existing solutions. It can be done for working conditions, education, community development, or health. However, social innovation alone cannot be sustainable. It has to be complemented with entrepreneurship initiatives that generate income to benefit the community in the long-run – social entrepreneurship. Through social innovation and social entrepreneurship, not only the issues of cities and communities can be addressed and tackled but also help communities to be independent and sustainable in the long run. Through social innovation and entrepreneurship, the initiatives for the community can be prolonged and sustained in the long term through community work that generates income. Youth should be exposed and involved with communities at a young age. By getting youth to participate in urban resilience at an early age, would
instil the spirit of volunteerism and continuous contribution, input, and involvement that would benefit the society. But also build a strong character of caring and resilience youth. Connecting youth to a sense of urgency represents one of the most substantial hurdles to effectively engaging them in resilience planning. In the long run, the community can be on their own independently and develop their long-term agenda to benefit its members. Youth are known for their IT savvy and strong presence in social media; this can help to promote activities relating to urban resilience to a bigger audience. Tackling urban resilience, especially from the perspective of economic, would help in improving societal imbalance and assist underprivileged communities. Also, youth can use their strong presence in social media to promote urban resilience. Integrating youth participation in urban resilience is necessary. Empowering youth in urban resilience can help shape priorities for resilience strategies through early engagement to identify and tackle the issue. This is the time that youth should be given more significant opportunities.