Climate Change, Disaster Risk, and the Urban Poor: Cities Building Resilience for a Changing World (Urban Development)

Poor people living in slums are at particularly high risk from the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. They live on the most vulnerable lands within cities, typically areas that are deemed undesirable by others and are thus affordable. Residents are exposed to the impacts of landslides, sea-level rise, flooding, and other hazards. Exposure to risk is exacerbated by overcrowded living conditions, lack of adequate infrastructure and services, unsafe housing, inadequate nutrition, and poor health. These conditions can turn a natural hazard or change in climate into a disaster, and result in the loss of basic services, damage or destruction to homes, loss of livelihoods, malnutrition, disease, disability, and loss of life. This study analyzes the key challenges facing the urban poor given the risks associated with climate change and disasters, particularly with regard to the delivery of basic services, and identifies strategies and financing opportunities for addressing these risks. Several key findings emerge from the study and provide guidance for addressing risk: •The urban poor are on the front line. The poor are particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards due to where they live within cities, and the lack of reliable basic services. •City governments are the drivers for addressing risks. Local governments play a vital role in providing basic services which are critical to improving the resilience of the urban poor. •City officials build resilience by mainstreaming risk reduction into urban management. Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction can be best addressed and sustained over time through integration with existing urban planning and management practices. •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.

Poor people living in slums are at particularly high risk from the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. They live on the most vulnerable land within cities, typically areas deemed undesirable by others and thus affordable. This study analyzes the key challenges facing the urban poor, given the risks associated with climate change and disasters, particularly with regard to the delivery of basic services, and identifies strategies and financing opportunities for addressing these risks. The main audience for this study includes mayors and other city managers, national governments, donors, and practitioners in the fields of climate change, disaster-risk management, and urban development. The work is part of a broader program under the Mayor's task force on climate change, disaster risk and the urban poor. The study is organized in four chapters covering: 1) a broad look at climate change and disaster risk in cities of the developing world, with particular implications for the urban poor; 2) analysis of the vulnerability of the urban poor; 3) discussion of recommended approaches for building resilience for the urban poor; and 4) review of the financing opportunities for covering investments in basic services and other needs associated with climate and disaster risk.

Climate Change, Disaster Risk, adn the Urban Poor analyzes the key challenges facing the urban poor, given the risks associated with climate change and disasters. Through evidence and case studies from a number of cities--such as Dar es Salaam, Jakarta, Mexico City, and Sa̋o Paulo--the book identifies key strategies are based on difficult policy decisions that must balance tradeoffs among risk reduction, urban development, and poverty reduction. Policy makers, researchers, practitioners, and students will find the book's analysis robust and comprehensive, and abundant with global examples of policies and programs that have been implemented at the city level--including a review of financing options for local governments. Climate Change, Disaster Risk, and the Urban Poor analyzes the key challenges facing the urban poor, given the risks associated with climate change and disasters. Through evidence and case studies from a number of cities--such as Dar es Salaam, Jakarta, Mexico City, and Sa̋o Paulo--the book identifies key strategies are based on difficult policy decisions that must balance tradeoffs among risk reduction, urban development, and poverty reduction. Policy makers, researchers, practitioners, and students will find the book's analysis robust and comprehensive, and abundant with global examples of policies and programs that have been implemented at the city level--including a review of financing options for local governments The Urban Poor Living In Slums Are At Particularly High Risk From The Impacts Of Climate Change And Natural Hazards. This Study Analyzes Key Issues Affecting Their Vulnerability, With Evidence From A Number Of Cities In The Developing World.