Climate Change, Disaster Risk, and the Urban Poor: Cities Building Resilience for a Changing World – Summary

This analytical report provides an overview of the World Bank report “Climate Change, Disaster Risk, and the Urban Poor: Cities Building Resilience for a Changing World”. The report highlights the following main messages. Firstly, urban poor are on the front line. They are particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards due to where they live within cities, and the lack of reliable basic services. Secondly, city governments are the drivers for addressing risks through ensuring basic services, which are the first line of defense against the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Thirdly, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction can be best addressed and sustained over time through integration with existing urban planning and management practices. Finally, significant financial support is needed. Local governments need to leverage existing and new resources to meet the shortfalls in service delivery and basic infrastructure adaptation.