Cities are growing rapidly: urban areas are adding 1.4 million people every week, and more than half of the land projected to be urban by 2030 has not yet been developed. As losses associated with natural events continue to increase, the decisions that cities make now about investment, infrastructure, and land use are vital for increasing resilience. By helping cities both avoid losses from disasters, and prevent affected citizens from sliding into poverty, improved urban resilience can safeguard development gains for future generations.

GFDRR's work on resilient cities supports cities in strengthening their ability to better manage ongoing stresses and prepare for, withstand, and recover from acute shocks. We also work with cities to develop tools and knowledge that help decision-makers and municipal leaders determine where to reform policies, and where and how to invest to increase their city’s resilience. Further, we also offer support that cuts across all sectors, taking a broad, inclusive approach to the highly interrelated challenges that cities face. 

 

Read More

Highlights from Resilient Cities

Video

A video primer on our urban resilience engagement and the City Resilience Program.

Learn More
Brief

A portfolio review of GFDRR's urban resilience engagement.

Learn More
Publication

Transforming the Msimbazi river basin into a beacon of resilience.

Learn More

Resilient Cities By The Numbers

174
Grants
$95.9M
Countries
Resilient Cities Grants Around the World
Explore more of our work.
Paper
Examines the secondary benefits of urban flood protection and discusses methodological concerns.
Learn More
Report
This report provides an overview of the urban heat island (UHI) effect in Central European cities.
Learn More
Paper
Developing spatially explicit heat risk maps for Indian cities.
Learn More
Video
A "citizen science" campaign to measure the spatial variation of heat throughout cities.
Learn More
Event
A deep dive into urban planning, disaster risk management, and climate finance, among other topics.
Learn More
Video
An initial City Resilience Program grant supported Bolivia's capacity to manage urban challenges.
Learn More
Publication
Practical insights for how cities in East Asia can combat extreme urban heat.
Learn More
Image
China
City Resilience Program

Building resilient cities with the capacity to plan for and mitigate adverse impacts of disasters and climate change.