It was announced today that Dallas is one of 35 new cities invited to join the Rockefeller Foundation’s Resilient Cities network. More than 350 municipalities worldwide applied to be part of the second group to join what will eventually be 100 Resilient Cities. The first group of 32 was chosen in December of last year. The stated mission of the organization is to help cities “become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.”
Yeah, but what exactly does Dallas get out of it?
- Financial and logistical guidance for establishing an innovative new position in city government, a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the city’s resilience efforts;
- Expert support for development of a robust resilience strategy;
- Access to solutions, service providers, and partners from the private, public and NGO sectors who can help them develop and implement their resilience strategies; and
- Membership of a global network of member cities who can learn from and help each other.
This is what a Chief Resilience Officer supposedly does, though I enjoy imagining it’s somebody who builds up a city’s self-esteem, like this guy:
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According to the foundation, the most pressing challenges for which Dallas needs to prepare include aging infrastructure, chronic energy shortages, flooding, and terrorism.
I’m certain our city will be ready because we’re good enough, we’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like us.
UPDATE: Boring. It’s going to be Theresa O’Donnell, who has been the city’s chief planning officer. (Apologies to O’Donnell, who I am sure is eminently qualified for the post. I’m just disappointed to see Stuart Smalley bypassed.)
