Resilient Cities
Resilient Cities
IN Numbers
56%
Of us live in cities. This is expected to reach 70% by 2050.
10-15°C
Countries recorded temperatures above 50°C in more than one location last year.
2x
The level of heat stress on the human body in cities, compared to their rural surroundings.
THE BIG Picture
Our cities are growing…
More than half of the world’s population (56%) live in one right now. And seven in ten of us will by 2050. Cities already account for around 75% of global energy consumption and 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions – and these figures are set to rise.
This brings challenges. Mass movement creates pressure on housing, transport, and utilities, while access to green spaces can can be hard fought, or distributed unequally between residents.
These challenges cannot fall by the wayside. The world’s urban ecosystems will require delicate planning if cities are to survive, and thrive, in the future.
First, leaders in all cities need to talk to one another. Some, like those engaged in
Mass movement creates massive pressure on infrastructure
the Resilient Cities Network, are already doing so to great effect, but more need to join movements like this. Achieving ‘urban resilience’ requires more than sharing knowledge – it demands rapid action around how urban spaces are designed, built, and managed.
Central to a successful strategy will be the way in which cities respond to strains in their infrastructure. Individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city will need to find ways to adapt and grow, no matter what chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience.
Climate change compounds this fragility. Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. They are getting hotter and more prone to flooding. Some parts of the world are more impacted than others – six of the 10 countries most affected by climate-related events over the past two decades lie in Asia and the Pacific – but the vulnerability of cities to climate change could become widespread.
THE BIG Fixes
Urban resilience means a city that can adapt to change, recover from shocks, and grow sustainably in ways that enhance the quality of life of all residents.
CONNECT COMMON SOLUTIONS
Cities themselves need to be sharing best practice – and quickly. Some already are: the Resilient Cities Network of 100 cities around the world shares vital information and insights on how people can live together in increasingly crowded spaces. This is built on an initiative, pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation, which helped cities to hire a Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), develop a resilience strategy, access pro bono services from private sector and NGO partners, and share ideas, innovation and knowledge. It has driven big changes in cities through resilience plans and projects that can deliver benefits to multiple sectors, and particularly vulnerable communities.
EMBRACE SMART CITIES
A smart city is one where technology and data collection improve quality of life, as well as the efficiency of city operations. The very best smart cities – such as Zurich to Canberra – integrate services from traffic management to energy distribution. Combined, they can reduce waste and optimise resources, helping cities to meet their challenges.
They can reduce waste and optimise resources…
DESIGN FOR ADAPTATION
Our cities today follow the same basic models of the first mass urbanisations of the late 18th century. Design has a crucial role to play in adapting them for the future. Public spaces can prioritise water management (reduce flooding risks) while buildings with solar- reflective materials, shaded walkways, and green rooftops can combat urban heat. A growing architectural movement embeds natural, carbon absorbing materials into our city walls further contributing to efforts to reduce life-limiting air pollution.
GREEN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. Rather than knocking down old buildings and infrastructure, architects and urban planners should consider ways to repurpose and recycle the existing built environment to better serve our needs. The trend towards reusing materials in construction is gaining momentum, seeing whole tower blocks stripped down and reused. Developments in green concrete and glass continue to reduce the carbon footprint from construction.
The trend towards reusing materials in construction is gaining momentum
TACKLE HOW WE TRAVEL
Urban transport accounts for around one quarter of global emissions from fuel combustion. Policy makers also need to prioritise sustainability, with electrified public transport key. Other policies encouraging shared mobility solutions – like bike- sharing and carpooling – can further reduce congestion and emissions.
Around 1-in-4 new cars sold were electric in 2023.
Private urban transport will be all about electric vehicles too. Here, the signs are encouraging. Around 1-in-4 new cars sold were electric in 2023. More than 90% of these sales were in Norway, and in China, it was almost 40%.
RENEWABLE ENERGY HUBS
Around 25 million households have solar panels around the world, according to the IEA. One advantage cities have is tall buildings. Solar panels and wind turbines can be integrated into infrastructure, with community solar projects like Brixton Energy paving the way for decentralised, sustainable energy. A group of not-for-profit co-operatives based in south London, Brixton Energy has completed three projects to install solar panels on social housing, generating clean renewable electricity, a financial return for its investors and income for its community fund. And from Houston to Guangzhou, a hand-full of developers are integrating wind turbines into skyscrapers. Initiatives like these not only reduce reliance on centralised grids but also engage communities in practical solutions.
Through smart planning, innovative technologies, and collective action, cities can become beacons for resilience and hope, offering sustainable and better lives for city dwellers.
Plan Skt. Kjelds Plads. By SLA
CASE STUDY
COPENHAGEN
Since 2011, Copenhagen’s St. Kjedls neighbourhood has created more green spaces, increased resilience against flooding and improved residents’ quality of life. The Copenhagen Climate-Resilient Neighbourhood strategy has “green” and “blue” solutions (such as water towers), with the aim of improving the management of urban rainwater flow and reducing cloudburst damage. The strategy is a collaboration between the Central City Planning Office, Integrated Urban Renewal office, and HOFOR (Copenhagen’s largest utility company), and runs alongside private initiatives like green roofs and rain gardens to support climate adaptation at both public and private levels.
IN Action
The Conduit’s commitment
In December 2025, our first annual Resilient Cities Conference will gather government leaders, businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, NGOs and philanthropists to share the latest solutions for the future of how we will all live. We will do this in partnership with the Resilient Cities Network, a global community of urban resilience leaders and Chief Resilience Officers from over 100 cities worldwide including New York, Mexico City, Singapore, Sydney and Cape Town. By merging the expertise of Resilient Cities Network with The Conduit’s global community of effective solution providers, business partners, thought leaders and funders, this conference will unlock new opportunities for cities to address climate change, economic inequality, and social challenges through actionable, scalable solutions.
This will be further supported by programming at our London club, shared with our broader digital audience to bring these solutions to the widest possible audience.
