Ideas for Urban Resilience

Five experts reflect on developing trends and future possibilities for resilience in Honolulu and other cities.

1 minute read

July 7, 2021, 9:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


HART Rail Honolulu

Daniel Ramirez / Flickr

As cities emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, how can they become more resilient? In this article, Sterling Higa captures the insights of five experts: 

  1. Dr. Karl Kim, a disaster preparedness expert;
  2. Todd Boulanger, a transportation specialist;
  3. Doug Johnstone, a real estate developer;
  4. State Senator Stanley Chang, a lawmaker; and
  5. Dr. Ashok Das, an expert in international development.

The article discusses a range of ideas, including "slow cities," multimodal transportation, mixed-use development, walkable neighborhoods, and the importance of civil society. While the discussion focuses on Honolulu, it also has relevance for other cities. After all, topics such as disaster preparedness, declining usage of public transit, changes in residential design, affordable housing, and cross-sectoral collaboration are equally important in other cities across the United States.

As an added bonus, this article features wonderful illustrations by Amy Ngo.    

Thursday, April 15, 2021 in Hawaii Business Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.