By AIT Public Affairs
26 July 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI) co-hosted a 5-day training program on “Urban Planning Tools for Addressing Land Degradation and Promoting Land Restoration” from 22 – 26 July 2024. The event brought together 21 participants from 17 countries across South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The training was designed for planning officers in municipalities, local government areas (LGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders. It emphasized their crucial roles in implementing sustainable urban planning practices to combat land degradation. The goal was to foster a collaborative and informed approach to addressing these challenges through the use of effective urban planning tools.
The workshop featured master classes on urban land degradation, technical sessions, case studies, field trips, and group discussions. Topics included the nexus between climate change and land degradation, contextualization of urban land degradation within planning, and development control for disaster risk reduction.
Participants were introduced to contemporary urban planning tools and methodologies, including artificial intelligence, drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and other technological innovations. Discussions also covered the circular economy in urban planning and the concept of green cities as tools for land restoration.
By the end of the event, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the critical role planning plays in halting and reversing land degradation while promoting restoration. They learned about various planning tools that can be adapted for land restoration and witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes of successful planning and restoration, as well as the adverse effects of poor planning. The course also highlighted the interconnectedness between climate change and land degradation, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches to address these global challenges.
Prof. Rajendra Shrestha, Dr. Muralee Thummarukdy, and Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto (From Left to Right)
Dr. Muralee Thummarukdy, Director of G20 GLI, attended the training workshop and had productive discussions with AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto about future collaboration on land degradation and restoration, focusing on capacity building and curriculum development in the region. Prof. Rajendra P. Shrestha (Land degradation, climate change, and ecosystem ), AIT facilitated the training, specializing in land degradation, climate change, and ecosystem studies.
The course is developed by the G20 GLI in collaboration with AIT Scientists and was co-facilitated by: Prof. Vilas Nitivattananon – Urban sustainability, impact assessment, AIT; Dr. Malay Pramanik – Climate change and disaster, urban resilience, AIT; Dr. Manzul Hazarika – Geoinformatics (RS/GIS/Drones) applications and modeling in disaster, AIT; Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat – Artificial Intelligence, big data, machine learning, AIT, and Prof. Iyenemi Ibimina Kakulu – Land management and restoration, UNCCD G20 GLI.
The course was developed by G20 GLI in collaboration with AIT scientists and was co-facilitated by Prof. Vilas Nitivattananon (urban sustainability and impact assessment), Dr. Malay Pramanik (climate change and urban resilience), Dr. Manzul Hazarika (geoinformatics applications and disaster modeling), Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat (artificial intelligence and big data), and Prof. Iyenemi Ibimina Kakulu (land management and restoration) from UNCCD G20 GLI.
ABOUT G20 GLOBAL LAND INITIATIVE
The ambition of the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats (G20 Global Land Initiative) launched during the Saudi Arabian Presidency is to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in degraded land by 2040. To inspire all stakeholders to collectively deliver on land conservation and
restoration outcomes: we showcase success stories; engage the private sector; empower civil society and the public; and share knowledge to build capacity among G20 members as well as interested non-member countries and other stakeholders.
More information on the initiative can be seen at www.g20land.org/
