Adaptation and Resilience Education

Client: Urban Land Institute

Project Team: Resource Refocus, and the University at Buffalo School or Architecture and Planning

Project Dates: 2021-2022

PROJECT SUMMARY

As a team with Dr. Rajkovich from the University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, RR developed the multi-part course “Introduction to Climate Risk and Resilience” for the Urban Land Institute, offered live in 2022, online on-demand, and live again in 2023. The course teaches participants about climate resilience and adaptation strategies. It provides training on how professionals can address climate change impacts while supporting economic stability and positive social outcomes.

Throught the course, participants gain knowledge of climate science basics, learn to identify climate hazards like extreme heat and flooding, and understand the economic rationale for investing in resilience measures. The program also covers financing mechanisms, policy frameworks, and practical adaptation techniques, supported by real-world case studies and research from the ULI Urban Resilience program.

Course Structure:

  • Module 1 – Focuses on understanding climate hazards and their business implications through climate science fundamentals and economic analysis.

  • Module 2 – Examines vulnerable communities and infrastructure while exploring funding sources and regulatory approaches at various government levels.

  • Module 3 – Presents practical resilience solutions covering protective measures, emergency planning, flood-resistant construction, infrastructure approaches, and building system improvements.

  • Module 4 – Analyzes real-world applications through detailed case studies of successful resilience projects.

Delivery Method: The course is self-paced online and delivered through pre-recorded video lectures and supporting materials. The course is available at: https://learning.uli.org/courses/introduction-to-climate-risk-and-resilience.

Resource Refocus LLC is a WBE certified business and is listed through The Supplier Clearinghouse. Resource Refocus is also a certified Small Business through the California Department of General Services.

Resource Refocus LLC, based in Berkeley, CA, is a limited liability company registered in the state of California. The firm was founded in 2010 by Anna LaRue and Noelle Cole.