San Diego, Milan e Jakarta They might seem like three cities with little in common. Yet all three are facing a crucial battle against the effects of climate change, and all three are offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world.
From the West Coast of the United States to the heart of Europe to the Indonesian archipelago, these cities are redefining what it means to adapt to a changing planet. Through innovative solutions—from water recycling to urban forestation, from relocating entire cities to creating artificial islands—they are charting a course toward a more resilient and sustainable urban future. Let’s take a look?
San Diego: Pioneer in Water Management
In sunny California, San Diego is addressing one of the most pressing challenges of climate change: the drought. With less than 30 centimetres of rain per year, the city had to completely reinvent its approach to water management.
The turning point came in the 90s, when a severe drought forced the city to cut its water use in half. Since then, San Diego has been on a path of innovation that has taken it from the brink of water crisis to relative abundance.
The strategies adopted by the city of the “Golden State”, whether they seem small or large, all matter. And they include:
- Low Flow Toilet Promotion and low-water landscaping;
- Construction of the largest desalination plant of the country;
- Planning for the wastewater recycling directly into the drinking water system.
These measures have allowed San Diego not only to halve per capita water consumption, but even to create a reserve sufficient to share the water with nearby cities.
Milan: an urban forest against the heat
Starting from San Diego and moving to Europe, Milan is facing a different but equally critical challenge: the “urban heat island” effect. Temperatures in the Italian city are up to 8°C higher than the surrounding rural areas, a situation that is set to worsen with global warming.
The response of the Ambrosian city? An ambitious urban forestry project called ForestMi. The goal is to plant 3 million trees and shrubs by 2030, transforming the city into a true urban forest.
“We have learned that we need to plan urban green spaces differently, planting varieties that are more resistant to storms or extreme temperatures and water scarcity,” he explained. Elena Grandi, member of the Milan city council.
Forest me, a citizen organization that takes care of planting. Image: Forestami
This approach not only helps mitigate the heat island effect, but also offers other benefits:
- Improvement of the air quality;
- Increased rainwater absorption, reducing the risk of floods;
- Creation of green spaces for the well-being of citizens;
Jakarta: Rethinking an Entire City
Finally, Jakarta offers us perhaps the most dramatic example of urban adaptation. The Indonesian capital is facing an existential threat: rising sea levels combined with the rapid sinking of the city.
The situation is so critical that the Indonesian government has taken an unprecedented decision: to move the capital to a new city, Archipelago, on the island of Borneo.
“Without any intervention, people will continue to move to Jakarta,” he noted. Deden Rukmana, Indonesian urban planning expert.
Jakarta's strategies include:
- Construction of a gigantic sea dam e di artificial islands to protect the city from floods;
- Relocation of industries high water consumption;
- Creation of a new capital, Nusantara, designed to be a sustainable “smart city”.
San Diego, Milan, Jakarta: Lessons for a Sustainable Urban Future
These three cities, with their different challenges and approaches, offer valuable lessons for urban adaptation to climate change. I would summarize them in 5 main points, which could almost become a “climate change response manual”:
- Long-term planningAll three cities have adopted
strategies that span decades, recognizing that climate adaptation takes time and perseverance. - Multifaceted approach: No single solution is enough. San Diego combines conservation, desalination and recycling; Milan integrates urban forestation with other climate resilience measures; Jakarta is considering both engineering solutions and relocation.
- Innovation and flexibility: Cities must be ready to adopt new technologies and approaches, such as San Diego's direct wastewater recycling or Jakarta's creation of artificial islands.
- Community involvementThe success of these projects depends largely on the support and participation of citizens.
- Taking into account local specificities: Each city has developed solutions adapted to its own geographical, climatic and cultural context.
Conclusion: A Resilient Urban Future
The experiences of San Diego, Milan, and Jakarta demonstrate that cities can adapt and thrive in the face of climate change. These examples offer hope and inspiration to other cities around the world facing similar challenges.
It must be remembered, of course, that adaptation alone is not enough. The global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change remains essential.
What do you think about these urban adaptation strategies? Do you think they can be applied in your city? Share your opinions in the comments on Futuro Prossimo's social channels.
