Addressing climate adaptation in Quezon City requires deep collaboration across disciplines, recognizing the intersectionality of climate, society, and technology. Urban planners and environmental scientists must co-design resilient infrastructure that integrates nature-based solutions. Social scientists and public health experts examine how climate risks disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, while economists and policy researchers develop equitable climate finance strategies. Educators and cultural scholars drive behavioral shifts, and technologists leverage AI and data for risk assessment. These interconnected efforts ensure that adaptation is not just about infrastructure but also about social justice, governance, and innovation, creating a truly sustainable and inclusive future. 

To engage the city's complex systems, the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) and adaptive leadership approaches shall be among the methods deployed. Interested teachers and instructors are encouraged to join the QC Climate Action Teaching Fellowship program, a learning community that shares the learning methodologies across schools.

Pillar 1: Food Security

Research Project 1: Urban Farming and Food Waste Reduction

• • Description: This project will explore the optimization of urban farming techniques to enhance local food production and implement strategies to minimize food waste within Quezon City.

  • Academic Disciplines: Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Waste Management.

  • City Hall Office: Sustainable Development Affairs Unit, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD).  

Research Project 2: Climate-Resilient Crops

• • Description: This project will research and promote the cultivation of climate-resilient crops that can withstand the changing climate patterns in Quezon City, ensuring a stable food supply.

  • Academic Disciplines: Botany, Genetics, Agricultural Science.

  • City Hall Office: Sustainable Development Affairs Unit.  

Research Project 3: Food Accessibility and Distribution

• • Description: This project will analyze and improve food distribution networks to ensure that all residents of Quezon City have access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly in vulnerable communities.

  • Academic Disciplines: Economics, Sociology, Logistics, Public Health.

  • City Hall Office: Sustainable Development Affairs Unit.  

Pillar 2: Water Sufficiency

Research Project 1: Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation

• • Description: This project will focus on designing and implementing efficient rainwater harvesting systems and water conservation strategies for residential, commercial, and public buildings in Quezon City.

  • Academic Disciplines: Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Architecture.

  • City Hall Office: City Architect Department, EPWMD.  

Research Project 2: Water Quality Monitoring and Improvement

• • Description: This project will assess the current state of water quality in Quezon City’s water sources and develop solutions to mitigate pollution and improve water quality.

  • Academic Disciplines: Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, Public Health.

  • City Hall Office: EPWMD.  

Research Project 3: Integrated Water Resource Management

• • Description: This project will develop a comprehensive plan for integrated water resource management, considering the interconnectedness of water supply, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.

  • Academic Disciplines: Water Resource Management, Urban Planning, Environmental Policy.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department, EPWMD.  

Pillar 3: Ecosystem and Environmental Stability

Research Project 1: Urban Biodiversity Conservation

• • Description: This project will study and promote the conservation of urban biodiversity in Quezon City, focusing on the protection of local flora and fauna and the creation of green corridors.

  • Academic Disciplines: Ecology, Conservation Biology, Landscape Architecture.

  • City Hall Office: Parks Development and Administration Department, EPWMD.  

Research Project 2: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience

• • Description: This project will explore and implement nature-based solutions to enhance the city's resilience to climate change impacts such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts.

  • Academic Disciplines: Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning.

  • City Hall Office: EPWMD, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.  

Research Project 3: Air Quality Improvement

• • Description: This project will monitor and analyze air quality in Quezon City and develop strategies to reduce air pollution from various sources.

  • Academic Disciplines: Atmospheric Science, Environmental Engineering, Public Health.

  • City Hall Office: EPWMD.  

Pillar 4: Human Security

Research Project 1: Climate Change and Public Health

• • Description: This project will investigate the impacts of climate change on public health in Quezon City and develop interventions to protect vulnerable populations.

  • Academic Disciplines: Public Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences.

  • City Hall Office: City Health Department, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.  

Research Project 2: Resilient Urban Design

• • Description: This project will focus on designing urban spaces and infrastructure that are resilient to climate change impacts, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.

  • Academic Disciplines: Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department, City Architect Department.  

Research Project 3: Community-Based Disaster Preparedness

• • Description: This project will develop and implement community-based disaster preparedness programs to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to extreme weather events.

  • Academic Disciplines: Sociology, Disaster Management, Community Development.

  • City Hall Office: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Housing, Community Development & Resettlement Department.  

Pillar 5: Climate-Smart Industries and Services

Research Project 1: Green Building Technologies

• • Description: This project will research and promote the adoption of green building technologies and practices in Quezon City to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Academic Disciplines: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Energy Engineering.

  • City Hall Office: Department of Building Official, City Architect Department.  

Research Project 2: Sustainable Transportation Solutions

• • Description: This project will evaluate and propose sustainable transportation solutions for Quezon City, including electric vehicles, public transportation improvements, and active transportation infrastructure.

  • Academic Disciplines: Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Environmental Science.

  • City Hall Office: Task Force on Transport and Traffic Management, Department of Public Order and Safety.  

Research Project 3: Circular Economy Initiatives

• • Description: This project will explore and promote circular economy initiatives in Quezon City to minimize waste, maximize resource efficiency, and create green jobs.

  • Academic Disciplines: Economics, Business Administration, Environmental Science.

  • City Hall Office: Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Sustainable Development Affairs Unit.

Pillar 6: Sustainable Energy

• Research Project 1: Renewable Energy Integration

  • Description: This project will study the feasibility and optimization of integrating renewable energy sources into Quezon City's energy mix.

  • Academic Disciplines: Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department.  

Research Project 2: Energy Efficiency in Buildings

• • Description: This project will assess and improve energy efficiency in residential, commercial, and public buildings in Quezon City.

  • Academic Disciplines: Architecture, Building Science, Energy Management.

  • City Hall Office: Department of Building Official, City Architect Department.  

Research Project 3: Smart Grids and Energy Storage

• • Description: This project will investigate the potential of smart grid technologies and energy storage solutions to enhance the reliability and resilience of Quezon City's energy system.

  • Academic Disciplines: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Energy Policy.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department.

Pillar 7: Knowledge and Capacity Development

Research Project 1: Young Climate Leaders Program (click here)

• • Description: This project will develop and implement educational programs to raise climate change awareness and promote sustainable behaviors among Quezon City residents.

  • Academic Disciplines: Education, Communication, Environmental Science.

  • City Hall Office: Local Youth Development Office, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Public Affairs and Information Services Department.  

Research Project 2: City Climate and Science Diplomacy Initiative (click here)

• • Description: This project will design and implement a Climate Diplomacy Fellows program to equip LGU personnel, academics, and citizens to engage counterparts in other cities in climate action.

  • Academic Disciplines: Public Administration, Environmental Management, Organizational Development.

  • City Hall Office: Public Information Office, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Office of the City Administrator.  

Research Project 3: Climate Data Management and Visualization

• • Description: This project will develop systems for managing, analyzing, and visualizing climate-related data to support evidence-based decision-making in Quezon City.

  • Academic Disciplines: Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental Science.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department.  

Pillar 8 : Climate Finance and Policy Design

Research Project 1: Innovative Climate Financing Mechanisms (click here)

• • Description: This project will explore and develop innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds, public-private partnerships, and carbon pricing to fund climate action projects in Quezon City.

  • Academic Disciplines: Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Law.

  • City Hall Office: City Treasurer's Office, Sustainable Development Affairs Unit, City Budget Department.

Research Project 2: Policy Frameworks for Climate Investment

• • Description: This project will assess and design policy frameworks to incentivize private sector investment in climate-friendly technologies and projects, aligning with local and national climate goals.

  • Academic Disciplines: Public Policy, Urban Planning, Economics, Business Administration.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department, Sustainable Development Affairs Unit.

Research Project 3: Climate Budgeting and Expenditure Tracking

• • Description: This project will develop methodologies for climate budgeting and tracking of climate-related expenditures in the city budget to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of resources for climate action.

  • Academic Disciplines: Public Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Environmental Economics.

  • City Hall Office: City Budget Department, City Treasurer's Office, Office of the City Administrator.

Pillar 9: AI for Climate Innovation and Governance

Research Project 1: AI-Powered Climate Risk Assessment and Prediction

• • Description: This project will develop AI models to analyze climate data (e.g., weather patterns, land use, infrastructure vulnerability) to improve the accuracy of climate risk assessments and predict future climate change impacts in Quezon City. This could involve predicting flood risks, heatwave intensity, and other extreme weather events.

  • Academic Disciplines: Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning), Data Science, Statistics, Climate Science, Geography.

  • City Hall Office: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Planning and Development Department, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Unit.

Research Project 2: AI-Optimized Energy Management Systems

• • Description: This project will utilize AI to optimize energy consumption and distribution in Quezon City. This could involve developing smart grids that predict energy demand, optimize renewable energy integration, and improve energy efficiency in buildings and transportation systems.

  • Academic Disciplines: Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things), Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Urban Planning.

  • City Hall Office: City Planning and Development Department, Department of Building Official, Task Force on Transport and Traffic Management.

Research Project 3: AI for Environmental Monitoring and Resource Management

• • Description: This project will explore the use of AI to monitor environmental conditions (e.g., air and water quality, deforestation) and optimize resource management. This could involve using AI to analyze satellite imagery, sensor data, and other information to detect pollution, track changes in ecosystems, and improve the efficiency of waste management and water distribution systems.

  • Academic Disciplines: Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision), Environmental Science, Ecology, Remote Sensing, Data Science.

  • City Hall Office: Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Parks Development and Administration Department, City Planning and Development Department.

References

Sample Student Projects

Sample Inter-sectoral Co-innovation Programs

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