From Project Implementation to Policy Change - Building Water Resilient Cities

Throughout the Arab region, major urban centers are struggling to keep up with climate change induced water scarcity coupled with rising water demands due to growing populations, conflict and natural disaster induced displacement. This session highlights how UN joint work (UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UN-ESCWA) is strengthening enabling environments for implementation of the New Urban Agenda through policy advice and the implementation of innovative pilot interventions that act as proof of concept, specifically in cities like Amman and Irbid (Jordan) and Zahle (Lebanon) ultimately translating from project to policy. Climate mainstreamed urban planning exercises are also a key component of this effort, demonstrating the need and value of water resilient projects and policies. In cities in the Arab region, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, and ESCWA are implementing nature-based solutions to address water scarcity and increasing risks of flash floods which has led to the development of evidence-based regulatory frameworks, like new climate resilient building codes, for example. By linking implementation with normative support, the UN’s joint work with local officials ensures lasting impact and sustainability, catalyzes institutional uptake, and embeds resilience-oriented practices into long-term urban and water governance systems.