After CityLinks partnership trips I always feel inspired and energized, believing that what cities are learning from one another is truly contributing to more resilient communities. The trip to Boulder with the delegation from Shimla was no different. Traveling to Boulder with me were The Mayor of Shimla, Mr. Sanjay Chauhan, Commissioner Pankaj Rai, City Project Coordinator Komal Kantariya and Superintending Engineer Sushil Justa. 

We met an incredible number of people and organizations working both locally and internationally on climate related challenges. I was so struck with the depth of activity in Boulder that I wanted to find a way that CityLinks could promote key innovators around the world. As we plan for our final year of CityLinks stay tuned for opportunities to be featured as an innovator, and to learn about some amazing ways that organizations are tackling climate, water and food security challenges. Here are a few organizations that inspired me in Boulder:

Agua Inc For nearly a decade, the Agua Inc team has implemented ABIS (Aquatic Biological Integrated System) Wastewater Systems (WWTS) for for hundreds of clients around the world. ABIS systems offer a more cost effective, higher performing, and more sustainable method of wastewater treatment than other systems like activated sludge or lagoons. Systems are customized based on influent flow, the level and type of contamination, and effluent requirement. They can be used on a variety of types of wastewater ranging from urban municipal wastewater to agricultural wastewater. In general, the systems cost on average 30-70% less to build and maintain than alternative systems, don’t produce sludge, use little to no energy, and are simple and inexpensive to maintain. They also sequester CO2 rather than emit it. Additionally, because they are beautiful and odorless, their installation usually encounters less community resistance and they can be placed closer to communities reducing sewer connection costs.

ISET An organization that catalyzes transformative changes toward a more resilient and equitable future. Through research, training and implementation activities, we improve understanding and elevate the level of dialog and practice as society responds to natural resource, environmental and social challenges. We serve as a framework for equal collaboration among individuals and organizations in the North and South. You can learn more about their design competition for disaster resilient settlements here.

Urban Furtures at the National Center for Atmospheric Research integrates different disciplinary domains within NCAR and with other national and international organizations to:

• Explore the dynamics of urbanization and urban systems that shape urban emissions, vulnerabilities and risks
• Investigate urban populations' and decision makers' capacity to respond to climatic and non-climatic hazards and stresses
• Research how particular cities attempt to meet the challenges of reducing emissions (sustainability) while improving their response capacity (resilience) to environmental impacts
• Build capacity to foster urban sustainability and resilience through educational, mentoring and outreach activities at the science-policy interface

Urban Futures shares a similar belief that academia and practitioners must understand eachother and work side by side if we are to help communities prepare and adapt to new climate realities. 

I owe a great thanks to our wonderful hosts in Boulder. Both the staff and the the City Council provided a truly rewarding experience. Keep an eye out for information on this very promising partnership and the plans we have for the final year of CityLinks!