Discourse analysis as a method for understanding the framing of urban governance
Discourse analysis is an analytical approach applied by social scientists as part of the FRACTAL urban governance research, and includes both analysis of verbal engagements and analysis of policies and related documents. In practical terms, this implies unpacking how language…
Building Resilience in African Cities: A Think Piece
Resilience has become a powerful term, used in multiple contexts, at multiple scales. A mutually understood definition, that all who use it adhere to, is lacking, particularly in relation to the future development of cities, and in the developing world.…
Inspiring Climate Action in African Cities: Practical options for resilient pathways
This working paper is inspired by the two Adaptation Inspiration Books developed by European Commission projects: ‘Adaptation Inspiration Book: 22 Implemented cases of local climate change adaptation to European citizens -Climate Impact Research and Response Coordination for a Larger Europe…
Research Methods for Understanding and Supporting Decision Processes in African Cities
This series is funded by the UK’s Department For International Development (DFID) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through the Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) project, within the Future Climate For Africa (FCFA) multi-consortia programme. The…
Towards developing a common language for climate change in the city of Cape Town
In collaboration with the City of Cape Town, using the development of the City’s Climate Change Policy document and the Green Economy, Energy and Climate Change forum as a basis, this Working Paper describes the process of engaging in a…
Future Climate for Africa - Brochure (English)
The Future Climate For Africa Programme presents two major opportunities to: Generate fundamentally new climate science focused on Africa, and Ensure that this science has an impact on human development across the continent. FCFA is a £20 million (US$30 million)…
Dialogue for decision-making: unpacking the 'City Learning Lab' approach
The ‘City Learning Lab’ approach described here is designed to facilitate multi-disciplinary problem-solving at the intersection of these two trends across five cities in Southern Africa. It has been developed and is being used by the ‘Future Resilience for African…
Report: Africa's climate: Helping decision-makers make sense of climate information
African decision-makers need reliable, accessible, and trustworthy information about the continent’s climate, and how this climate might change in future, if they are to plan appropriately to meet the region’s development challenges. The Future Climate for Africa report, Africa’s climate:…
How can scientists play a bigger role in shaping the future of cities?
Producing actionable information for urban decision-making is crucial in order to take early action for urban resilience, yet policies and practices to reduce the risks of climate change are slow to materialize in many cities, especially in highly vulnerable areas…
FRACTAL Seminar Understanding Urban Governance: Entrypoints for climate science
The Future Climate for Africa programme together with the Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) research team hosted a critical discussion on approaches for understanding the governance structures that shape medium-term development decisions taken in various African contexts…