Cooperative Planning for Climate Related Disasters
An-Najah National University (ANNU) participates as an institution in cooperative planning for climate-related disasters, working with government authorities, municipalities, community organisations and international partners. Through its Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center (UPDRRC), the University contributes scientific expertise in hazard assessment, risk mapping and urban resilience to support preparedness, adaptation and recovery planning.
This engagement forms part of ANNU’s broader contribution to SDG policy development, connecting research with public decision-making, national strategies and sustainable urban development. It is strengthened through cross-sectoral dialogue involving ministries, municipalities, civil defence, humanitarian organisations, community representatives and academia. These exchanges support the development of risk-informed maps, planning recommendations and coordinated follow-up actions.
Within its Climate Change framework, ANNU recognises the potential for climate-related disasters to displace people within Palestine and across borders. Its documented 2025 contributions include regional disaster-risk-reduction discussions in Kuwait and the integration of climate adaptation into Gaza recovery and reconstruction planning in Amman.
Cooperation with Government
ANNU’s Memorandum of Understanding with the National Center for Disaster Risk Management formalised cooperation on national disaster-risk-reduction planning and public awareness.
The associated work included multi-hazard assessment, risk mapping, guidance for local resilience planning and standards for critical infrastructure. The University was also identified as a member of the national centre’s technical team.
Further cooperation is documented in the joint workshop on the National Strategy and Media Plan for Risk Reduction 2024–2029. ANNU’s advisory team worked with governmental institutions, civil society and other stakeholders to review and refine the proposed strategy and public-awareness plan.
These earlier records establish the institutional foundation for cooperation; the following activities document participation during 2025.
Documented Activities in 2025
|
Date |
Activity |
ANNU contribution |
Partners and cooperation |
|
9–12 February 2025 |
Sixth Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kuwait |
Prof. Jalal Dabbeek and Dr. Jamal Dabbeek contributed expertise on infrastructure resilience, preparedness, recovery and risk-informed urban planning. Discussions included climate-change impacts and Sendai Framework implementation. |
Organised by UNDRR with the League of Arab States and hosted by the State of Kuwait. |
|
13–14 May 2025 |
ANNU experts presented risk studies and planning perspectives, facilitated discussions and contributed to a risk matrix and reconstruction priorities incorporating climate adaptation. |
Workshop collaboration with University College London and the Turkish Design Council; a separate meeting explored cooperation with Jordan’s Royal Scientific Society. |
Climate Adaptation and Recovery Planning
The Gaza workshop demonstrates how ANNU incorporates future climate risks into recovery planning in a setting affected by conflict and displacement. Its contribution focused on risk-informed reconstruction, institutional coordination, community participation and long-term urban resilience.
Regional Knowledge Exchange
At the Kuwait platform, ANNU presented the “Cities of Tomorrow” programme and its decision-support approach to risk-conscious urban planning in Nablus. Discussions also explored transferring experience to Iraqi cities through potential cooperation with UN-Habitat. This demonstrates regional exchange of planning expertise.
Supporting Research and Institutional Experience
Additional resources provide context for ANNU’s technical capacity:
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SAGE Centre for Sustainable Adaptation to Global Change in the Middle East: a complementary platform for adaptation research and scientific cooperation.
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Gaza Risk Reduction and Mitigation project: a completed 2011–2012 partnership involving ANNU, contributing historical experience in risk assessment in complex emergencies.
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SASPARM 2.0: seismic-risk work providing broader disaster-management experience, distinct from climate-specific planning.
Responsible unit: Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center
Reporting year: 2025