Addressing Local Multilayered Vulnerability Hotspots in Cities to Build the Systemic Resilience of Communities, Infrastructure and Ecosystems

This event will convene diverse stakeholders, including cities, donors, technical experts, UN-Habitat country teams, and UN agencies leading in urban climate action to showcase the significance of enhanced technical understanding of multi-layered vulnerabilities in fostering urban resilience.

The spotlight will be on the Multi-layered Vulnerability Assessment (MVA) developed within the RISE UP UN-Habitat Flagship programme, striving to enhance urban adaptation and climate resilience in global vulnerability hotspots. These assessments delve deep into the interplay of climate change hazards and risks, urbanization dynamics including socioeconomic factors, and biodiversity loss. Employing a rigorous spatial vulnerability assessment methodology, the assessments pinpoint localized hotspots of concentrated, multidimensional vulnerability.

Participants will learn how insights from these assessments can support more informed decision-making: guiding the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of climate resilience and adaptation actions, including nature-based solutions (NBS), at municipal and local levels. City experiences will highlight the effectiveness of participatory urban planning and decision-making processes in developing feasible, financeable projects to mitigate vulnerabilities and fortify systemic resilience.

Through a panel discussion and interactive session, stakeholders will exchange experiences, lessons learned, and recommendations for the future application and scaling of MVAs. The inter-regional component of this session with will be further enriched by the diverse voices from cities from the Middle East, North Africa, East Africa, and South America, ensuring a comprehensive representation of urban perspectives. Moreover, the multi-level representation of actors, spanning local, regional, and international levels, will infuse the discussion with a spectrum of insights and priorities. Additionally, the technical expertise of Adapt40, as a climate adaptation consultancy and delivery partner of the ‘RISE UP UN-Habitat Flagship programme’ will contribute valuable perspectives and strategies to the conversation.

Curated questions will facilitate meaningful dialogue, while a Q&A session with the audience will deepen engagement and insight. This inclusive approach fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange, ultimately strengthening efforts to build resilience in urban environments.