Urban resilience past, present and future: celebrating David Satterthwaite

A distinguished panel of speakers from around the world will come together on Tuesday 14 May to reflect on what has been learned from decades of experience working in urban development.

The discussion will celebrate the achievements of David Satterthwaite, an esteemed researcher for IIED, professor, author, co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and recipient of the Volvo Environment Prize who has dedicated more than 50 years to delivering positive change in informal settlements and climate change adaptation.

Register to attend .

News?and insights

State of the cities marks phase two of Transformative Urban Coalitions

Across five 'urban labs'?local initiatives are showing how transformation and climate justice can be achieved in urban areas.?These innovation labs have each produced a story showing their local challenges, goals and successes in creating decarbonised and just urban futures. Check out the 'state of the cities' case studies . ?

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Community-led climate action: building equitable, resilient cities from the bottom up

With local climate action in informal settlements playing a pivotal role in building more equitable, resilient, low-carbon cities in a rapidly urbanising world, it is time to make more effective use of climate finance to address poverty and inequalities in our cities. Read the insight by?Nina Schoonman . ?

Traditional authorities need a clearer role in land governance

Traditional authorities in Zambia complain that the government does not consult them when land is allocated for investment projects, while communities say chiefs are neglecting their interests. Jesinta Kunda of Zambia Land Alliance says more clarity is needed on the role of traditional authorities, in law and practice, to ensure large-scale investments in agriculture, mining and other sectors are governed better – particularly in light of the rising demand for critical minerals found in Zambia. Find out more . ?

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Inequality 2.0

Taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical conflict, worsening debt sustainability and increasing climate impacts in the poorest countries, there was much talk about the problems, but little progress towards solutions at the recent World Bank-International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings. Read the insight by Laura Kelly . ?

China's urbanisation conundrum: balancing economic growth and human wellbeing

In the latest edition in our series on the transition to a predominantly urban world, Professor?Bingqin Li asks, what is the justification, and rationale, behind China’s phenomenal rate of urbanisation? And who are the winners and losers? Read the insight . ?

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Mining contract transparency improves local planning in Mali

In Mali, a civil society coalition worked with communities to achieve greater transparency on gold mining contracts and to hold authorities and companies to account. Their aim: to turn Mali’s mining sector into a lever for socio-econmic development and improve living conditions around mining sites.?Nouhoum Diakite charts a success story, with limitations .

New publications

Taxonomy of climate-attributable loss and damage and scalable responses related to DRR, health and human mobility

This paper provides a comprehensive taxonomy of climate-attributable loss and damage in context of least developed countries and Small Island Developing States in Asia and the Pacific.? It highlights the need for tailored strategies encompassing demographic, socioeconomic and political challenges, and suggests a three-pillar approach involving grassroots engagement, collaboration among stakeholders and evidence-based policymaking to mitigate climate change effects. Download the working paper . ?

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Business unusual: how business and investment pioneers are transforming forest and food supply chains

This report highlights success and lessons learned?from 18 inspiring examples of businesses and investors who are progressing from ‘business-as-usual’ to ‘business unusual’ by adopting practices that embrace complexity and challenge existing business and investment paradigms and power dynamics.? These pioneers are charting new paths for how forest stewards and farm smallholders can organise themselves, mobilise their own flexible finance, leverage external public and private investments and engage in business partnerships that regenerate and distribute a diversity of social, natural and economic benefits while strengthening social bonds and bonds with nature. Download the paper .