Urban Fragility- Is International Development fit for purpose

For the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population now lives in cities - 56%, or approximately 4.4 billion people. By 2030, this figure is projected to rise to three-fifths of the global population. The trend of rapid urbanization is expected to continue, with the urban population more than doubling by 2050. By then, nearly 7 in 10 people worldwide will reside in cities. Among these urban dwellers, close to 1 billion are considered urban poor, often living in informal settlements to be near employment and economic opportunities.

This unprecedented urban growth places significant strain on city infrastructures, spanning physical, institutional, economic, and social dimensions. When combined with pre-existing vulnerabilities, these pressures create a stress dynamic that exacerbates fragility in urban areas.

Urban fragility is multifaceted, encompassing institutional, socio-economic, political, security, and environmental dimensions. It can manifest along a spectrum, from latent to overt violence or armed conflict. The severity of fragility is influenced by a range of risks, including the pace of urbanization, rising income and social inequalities, youth unemployment, increasing homicidal and criminal violence, inadequate access to essential services, and heightened exposure to climate-related threats. While all these risks are concerning, some pose a more immediate and serious challenge than others.

Over the past few decades, the discourse around urban fragility has evolved significantly. This evolving conversation has laid the groundwork for essential dialogue between municipal authorities, local communities, and various stakeholders. It also aligns with the growing emphasis on social cohesion at both the horizontal (community level) and vertical (institutional level) scales.

Data suggests that cities that proactively create inclusive public spaces, support reliable transport networks, invest in targeted policing for high-risk areas, offer meaningful opportunities for young people, and engage in careful disaster planning are best positioned to transition from fragility to resilience. In this context, participatory approaches and open dialogue have proven essential for bolstering urban resilience.

Drawing on the extensive global experience of Cities Alliance and its partners, this session seeks to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on urban fragility. It will focus on early interventions, resilience-building, and addressing the often less visible aspects of fragility. Using case studies, we will explore strategies and approaches that offer sustainable solutions for tackling urban fragility.

The session will delve into the various dimensions of fragility and explore the roles of different actors—local governments, communities, international development partners, and cross-sectoral partnerships—in fostering urban resilience and promoting social cohesion. The event aims to facilitate the development of shared standards and best practices for practitioners and decision-makers, drawing from real-world experiences. Through this exchange, we hope to provide valuable insights and practical guidance on addressing fragility and building more resilient cities for the future.