Reimagining urban resilience and education hubs using a community-engaged, equity-centered approach

Abstract

Resilience hubs provide temporary electricity-related services, connectivity, and essential resources in response to climate-related disasters, offering a critical solution for enhancing community resilience. Historically marginalized and lower-income populations face heightened vulnerability to external shocks that threaten their ability to recover from disasters. This article presents a case study of a co-designed resilience and education hub in the City of Orlando, developed through a community-engaged and equity-centered approach. Over six months, a team of interdisciplinary researchers collaborated with 20 community members, and surveyed over 300 local residents, and workshopped ideas with Orlando youth to identify values critical to the hub's design. These values encompassed physical infrastructure, social connectivity, and educational resources tailored to the community's unique needs. Key outcomes include the design of a portable Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard preparedness (REACH hub) featuring modular technology and interactive educational tools. This article proposes a replicable framework for other communities to co-develop equity-focused resilience hubs through academic, civic, and community partnerships.