At the 2019 International Conference “Understanding Risk Europe: Innovate for Resilience”, held in Bucharest, Romania, the session titled “Building Urban Resilience” tackled the pressing challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change. Organised in partnership with the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the session highlighted strategies for urban development to adapt to natural hazards and emerging threats such as technological and biological risks. Discussions and exchanges focused on guiding safer urban growth, ensuring resilient infrastructure, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and strengthening governance frameworks to support long-term resilience.

The session highlighted the critical importance of precise risk data in prioritizing impactful actions, reducing costs, and maximizing public spending efficiency. Around the globe, cities are embracing cutting-edge technologies, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and adopting forward-thinking urban planning to build their resilience. These efforts serve as models for addressing complex risks in an increasingly unpredictable world.

This session was a powerful call to action for urban planners, policymakers, and leaders to integrate resilience into every facet of urban development. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which promotes sustainable cities and communities, the session reinforced the urgency of creating safer, more sustainable cities for the future.

Read more: Building urban resilience: Integrating climate and disaster risks into urban development