Habitat III Issue Papers - 17: Cities and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management

This issue paper focuses on the climate change and disaster risk dimension in the urban contexts, and is complimentary to the broader discussion on urban resilience (#15) and resource efficiency (#16). The purpose of this paper is to explain how the improved understanding and progress in urban climate action and disaster risk management are influencing urbanisation patterns. The paper aims to demonstrate how the principles of New Urban Agenda (compactness, connectedness, inclusiveness and integration) improve disaster risk management, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as unlock opportunities for sustainable development.

This issue paper on "Cities and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management" is part of a series of thematic reports offering a comprehensive, expert-level view of the processes of urbanisation that characterise today’s century of cities — and look forward to what could and should come next. The 22 “issue papers” were submitted by a range of multilateral institutions. They will ultimately be used to guide discussion by 10 formal “policy units”, which will focus on the six thematic issues deemed important for the Habitat III process. Made up of independent experts, these units touch on housing, resilience, equity and other issues. Eventually, they will each provide formal input regarding the crafting and, especially, implementation of the New Urban Agenda.