In 2024, the world is grappling with a series of global catastrophes triggered by climate change. Amidst these crises, compassionate actions emerge as a crucial response. Compassion is studied across various levels, from individual to structural^[1]. On an individual level, compassion involves cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes. At the group level, it manifests through social networks supporting those in distress. Structurally, it encompasses systematic and sustainable approaches to provide long-term responses to social challenges.

Compassionate Cities are communities that acknowledge the natural cycles of illness, health, birth, death, love, and loss that occur daily^[2]. These cities understand that caring for each other in times of crisis is a collective responsibility, not just that of social and health services. Urban compassion should be centered on the inherent dignity of all people, providing conditions for individuals to meet all their needs and facilitate their development.

Manfred Max Neef’s taxonomy of human needs^[3] highlights the importance of connections with the environment and among people sharing a place. In climate crises, these connections are often broken. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and landslides force communities to move, severing their ties with the environment and each other.

Donovan’s framework^[4] for Max Neef’s needs allows for evaluating how specific interventions can help or hinder people in meeting their needs. This framework recognizes the importance of fulfilling basic needs like subsistence and protection, especially in crises. Subsistence involves physical and mental health, food, shelter, and work. Protection covers safety from violence and abuse, emphasizing the vulnerability of children, women, and the elderly in community shelters.

Identity, another critically affected need, relates to a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and competence. Promoting and valuing local languages, religions, customs, and values is crucial. In times of crisis, ensuring safe environments for social interaction and housing is essential for community recovery.

In May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil experienced severe floods, leading to a remarkable display of compassion through volunteer efforts. During these floods, volunteers mobilized to provide aid, showcasing the power of collective action in times of need. Over 140 landslides were recorded within six hours^[5], and volunteers played a crucial role in supporting affected communities by providing food, shelter, and emotional support. Remarkably, the efforts of these volunteers reached affected areas more swiftly and comprehensively than state interventions, demonstrating a more networked approach to disaster response. Reports from volunteers indicate that they were driven by empathy and compassion.

A compassionate city must ensure that the qualities of a place make behavior that satisfies needs more attractive than harmful behaviors. This involves the participation of

the entire community, not just the government or the private sector. Everyone has the responsibility to care for each other during extreme crises.

International models of compassionate cities, such as "All with you"^[6] in Spain and Latin America, and "Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care"^[7] in the UK, offer practical guidelines for developing resilient support networks. These models can be adapted to address environmental crises, creating cities that not only meet immediate needs but also promote long-term resilience.

Urban compassion provides a path to address the climate crisis, fostering mutual care and human dignity. In a world increasingly impacted by environmental disasters, building compassionate cities is a vital strategy to ensure that communities can face and overcome these challenges together.

References

[1] Vanderstichelen, S., Dury, S., De Gieter, S., Van Droogenbroeck, F., De Moortel, D., Van Hove, L., ... & De Donder, L. (2022). Researching Compassionate Communities from an interdisciplinary perspective: the case of the Compassionate Communities Center of Expertise. The Gerontologist, 62(10), 1392-1401.

[2] Kellehear, A. (2020). Compassionate cities: Global significance and meaning for palliative care. Progress in Palliative Care, 28(2), 115–119. https://doi:10.1080/09699260.2019.1701835.

[3] Max Neef, M (2007) Development and Human Needs. www.alastairmcintosh.com/general/resources/2007-Manfred-Max-Neef-Fundamental-Human-Needs.pdf

[4] Donovan, J. (2018). Designing the compassionate city: creating places where people thrive. New York: Routledge.

[5] Dilly, B. (2024, June 22). 5 mil cicatrizes: Mapeamento aponta que RS registrou o maior evento de movimentos de solo e rocha do Brasil. GZH. Retrieved from https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/ambiente/noticia/2024/06/5-mil-cicatrizes-mapeamento-aponta-que-rs-registrou-o-maior-evento-de-movimentos-de-solo-e-rocha-do-brasil-clxqj07zw0143013yq2wln2ag.html

[6] Librada Flores, S., Herrera Molina, E., Boceta Osuna, J., Mota Vargas, R., & Nabal Vicuna, M. (2018). All with you: a new method for developing compassionate communities—experiences in Spain and Latin-America. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 2018, vol. 7, suppl. 2, p. 15-31.

[7] Abel, J. (2018). Compassionate communities and end-of-life care. Clinical Medicine, 18(1), 6.