What Will 2020 Bring and What Can We Do?

2019 was an exciting year for World Urban Parks, with a number significant outcomes delivered.

Also, as we closed out 2019, we were reminded of the sobering news from the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that we may have as few as twelve years to act or
pass the point of no return. At that time, we had recently experienced the earthquake in Albania, the
volcanic eruption in New Zealand, and the bushfires between Brisbane and Sydney.

Since our December newsletter, the Philippines experienced Typhoon Pahnfone with a death toll of over
50 people; Maharashtra, India received unusually heavy rains, thunderstorms and damaging hail
sabotaging orange, mosambi, and cotton crops; Delhi recorded the coldest day in 119 years on
December 30th; Puerto Rico experienced its most powerful earthquake in more than a century followed
by nearly 1,000 earthquakes and tremors since December 31, leaving more than 300 people homeless
and more than 250,000 without water; Australia continues to be devastated by more than 200
bushfires spreading across the country; with temperatures above 40C, over 1500 homes destroyed, 23
human lives claimed and the death of an estimated 1 billion animals.

“Are we designing the resilience of our urban environments to manage the impacts of Climate
Change?”. This is a vitally important question we must address.

In our work in creating resilient urban environments, we need to ensure that we address the causes of
climate change, redesign our city greenspaces to be more effective in minimizing the impact of climate
change events and aid in the recovery and rebuilding process. Given the climate crisis before us our
urban parks work continues to be critical; which makes 2020 another important year for World Urban
Parks.

To that end, World Urban Parks is working to achieve 25 National Park Cities across the world by 2025.
World Urban Parks is working with the South Australian Government to help Adelaide become the
second National Park City behind London England. Through the creation of National Park Cities we will
help to ensure that city dwellers are actively engaged in protecting, enhancing and providing for our
natural habitats to thrive in our cities.

The Latin America Region that was established in 2019 is well underway expanding its work. We are
pleased to have Mariana Prone from Argentina, Pedro Paes Lira from Brazil, and Maria Camila Garcia
from Columbia working with Luis Romahn of ANPR Mexico in this important region in the world. We
look forward to the expansion of this region as we fully represent all Latin America, one of the areas of
the world that urban growth is exploding requiring our urgent attention.

2019 saw expanded member engagement through World Urban Parks committees and congresses. The
contributions by members through committee work and active participation at congresses is critical to

11759 Groat Road NW • Edmonton • Alberta • T5M 3K6

ph: 780-415-1745 • e: office@worldurbanparks.org • www.worldurbanparks.org
our success. The expertise you all bring only strengthens World Urban Parks. Strengthening our
member services and engagement has been a focus area but it has proved challenging as it requires
much dedicated time by World Urban Parks CEO, Secretariat and Board Members. As our financial
position has strengthened, we were able to issue a call for proposals for new membership officer
position(s). The membership officer(s) will work to improve services with our current membership and
expand our international community of park professionals. We are happy to announce that we have two
successful applicants, with the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (APRA) serving in the lead
membership officer role. APRA’s Secretariat and membership officer role will grow as the World Urban
Parks membership community increases. 2020 will be a big year of expanding and re-developing a
number of member services to better serve our community. We encourage you to reach out at any time
with questions about World Urban Parks and for membership services to Ben Jonah, WUP Secretariat
Coordinator, at office@worldurbanparks.org.

On the conference front, World Urban Parks has a number learning and networking opportunities
around the world.
 World Urban Parks Regional Congresses
o Alberta Parks and Recreation Association is partnering with World Urban Parks for the
APRA Parks Forum March 11-14 in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
o World Urban Parks is partnering with New Zealand Recreation Aotearoa for Green
Pavlova 2020 incorporating the World Urban Parks Asia-Pacific Congress May 4-7 in
Rotorua, New Zealand
o Association Nacional De Parques Y Recreacion De Mexico is partnering with World
Urban Parks for Congreso Parques June 16- 19 in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

 World Urban Parks World Congress

o The 2020 World Urban Parks World Congress will be held in Tirana, Albania in early
November. Details are in process with updates coming soon!

Be engaged! Be active and let’s collectively and proactively work together to design and redesign our
urban environments to be resilient to manage the impacts of Climate Change. The time is now!

On to an exciting 2020,

Jayne Miller
World Urban Parks Board Chair

11759 Groat Road NW • Edmonton • Alberta • T5M 3K6

ph: 780-415-1745 • e: office@worldurbanparks.org • www.worldurbanparks.org