Abstract:
The global phenomenon of urbanization is here to stay. With more than 60% of the total
population expected to reside in urban areas by 2050, it is imperative to strongly consider the
environmental and economic implications of this global trend. Under the risk of the climate-induced
disasters and natural calamities, emergence of technological breakthroughs and fluctuations in the
global economy, the importance of various approaches to building ‘resilient’ cities has garnered
interest and concern all over the world. In fact, it has also been reiterated in sustainable development
goal 11 (Make cities and human settlement inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). The resilience
of cities encompasses a broad range of issues including building efficient recovery systems
(engineering and multi-equilibria resilience) in the cities or planning means of adaptation to the
increasing environmental, economic or socio-cultural stresses (socio-ecological resilience). It can also
be described in terms of transformation brought about by technological advancements. On the whole,
it is a matter of utmost importance to ensure that the expansion of existing cities or development of
new ones is guided by principles of strong governance or an institution that can adopt technology or
absorb the need for innovations. It must also be considered that the cities foster networked material
and energy flow which evolve around the idea of resource efficiency and 3R.
