Design Resilient Communities

EnD 4970, University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture, Spring 2026
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Gould Hall 390
Dr. Wei Liu, AICP, CNU-A (Instructor), wliu@ou.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 2 – 3 PM at Gould Hall 245L or remotely by Zoom, request by email

Independent Research

Purpose

This indenpendent research introduces students to the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) initiative, one of the most influential global framework for urban resilience. Through comparative analysis, you will gain exposure to how cities and communities across different global contexts define risks, set priorities, and propose resilience strategies.

By conducting your own comparative research and learning from peers’ presentations, you will develop a broader understanding of urban resilience as a multi-dimensional concept that integrates environmental, social, economic, and institutional perspectives.

Student-Led Discussions (20 minutes)

You are encouraged to use slides, diagrams, tables or other visual materials as appropriate. There is no required presentation format. You are free to organize and communicate your analysis in a way best supports your argument, as long as the components below are clearly addressed.

Your presentation should address all of the following areas:

• City Context
  • Basic information on each city (location, population, major environmental risks)
  • Why these risks matter for the city
• Resilience Priorities and Strategies
  • Key resilience goals identified in each city’s report
  • Major strategies or focus areas (e.g., infrastructure, social systems, governance, environment)
• Comparative Insights
  • What similarities do you observe between the two cities
  • What differences stand out, and why they might exist
• Reflection
  • What tensions, limitations, or challenges can you identify
  • Selection of one resilience strategy from either city and a discussion of how it could be translated into a concrete design intervention (e.g., public space, street, building, landscape, or infrastructure element)

Submission Deadline

Presentation materials (slides or other visual materials) are due by 11:59 PM on the day of your presentation.

Essay

Prompt

The essay should expand on your presentation and address the following:

• Resilience priorities and strategies for each city
• key similarities and differences in strategies across the two cities
• Observed synergies (where strategies address multiple goals)
• Observed trade-offs or tensions (e.g., equity vs. infrastructure, short-term vs. long-term goals)

Format requirement

• 1,000 - 1,500 words (excluding references)
• Double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides
• Times New Roman in 12 point or similar
• APA Citation Guide (WL’s cheat sheet), APA Citation Guide by OU Writing Center
• Microsoft Word or a Word compatible file (.doc or .docx)

Submission Deadline

Essay is due by 11:59 PM on the Monday following your presentation.

Resilient Cities

Access to the Resilient Cities Reports: Click Here