Decoupling Nexus Interlinkages: Strategies for Urban Resilience

Climate change is increasingly driving the frequency and intensity of extreme events, which significantly impact human societies' wellbeing and resilience. This situation is worsened by population growth, urbanization, and changes in land use, which often heighten the vulnerability and exposure of human systems. Additionally, the complexity of modern human systems, characterized by the interconnectedness of critical entities, makes urban areas particularly prone to domino effects triggered by a single initial shock. This study aims to understand and assess the Nexus effects of extreme events related to climate and other natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. It considers an extended Water-Energy-Food Nexus schema, incorporating Ecosystems, Climate, Soil, Transportation, Land Use, Health, and Information and Communication Technologies. The analysis synthesizes practical case studies of extreme events that have occurred over the last few decades, primarily in Europe. It examines the implications across three timescales: short-term, mid-term, and long-term. The study employs a modified Nexus oriented literature review approach, analyzing nine different types of extreme events: droughts, earthquakes, floods, heatwaves, landslides, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and wildfires. At least three case studies are analyzed for each type of extreme event. For each case study, the Nexus tree approach is applied. The synthesis of the Nexus trees for each extreme event will create the Nexus signature of that specific event. Based on these signatures, an inventory of recommendations for decoupling the nexus interlinkages will be developed. These recommendations will be categorized into operational, tactical, and strategic levels, corresponding to the three impact horizons. Special focus will be given to the implementation of Nature-based Solutions. The ultimate goal of the NEXUSNET taskforce is to provide tangible tools and capacity to enhance urban resilience against climate change-induced and other extreme events.