Introduction A major gap exists between the resources needed for climate adaptation and the funding currently available. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates an annual shortfall of $253–387 billion in adaptation finance by 2030. From 2017 to 2021, studies reveal that only 17% of global adaptation finance reached local communities. If you're designing a project or intervention—whether you're a planner, city leader, or development partner—ask yourself: “How can I design projects that directly support the people and communities most affected by climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, floods, extreme heat, or drought?” This article presents key insights and reflections from over a decade of work promoting resilience in Asian cities through the Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (2013–2025). These lessons continue to guide efforts under its successor, the Urban Resilience Trust Fund (2023–2031). What It Takes to Build Truly Resilient Cities Invest in strengthening the resilience of people, institutions, and environment. Resilient cities emerge from a systems-thinking approach where infrastructure, communities, institutions, and the environment work in harmony. Infrastructure plays an important role in driving urban resilience. It must not only withstand shocks but also strengthen urban systems by ensuring access to clean water, energy, transportation, flood protection, and safe, efficient housing. To create lasting change, investments must support people, skills, and local institutions alongside physical infrastructure. Cities that combine hard investments, such as flood control and solid waste facilities, with soft interventions like planning, livelihood programs, and training achieve greater and more sustainable impacts. Small grants to local governments and communities can spark innovation and lay the groundwork for scaling up successful initiatives. For example, in Faridpur, Bangladesh, a small grant from the UCCRTF catalyzed three impactful initiatives: a community-based solid waste facility, an expanded municipal livelihoods training center, and an eco-brick production facility. The training center quickly became a hub for practical learning, where residents gained skills in tailoring, jute production, goat raising, homestead gardening, and entrepreneurship. Through the eco-brick program, community members adopted climate-friendly brick-making techniques, while women launched home vegetable gardens that improved family nutrition and generated extra income. These activities fostered a strong sense of community, with neighbors sharing knowledge and supporting one another. This same approach guides the Nusantara GREEN Project in Indonesia. As the country develops its new capital city, Nusantara faces the dual challenge of rapid urban growth and climate risks, such as heat, flooding, and pressure on food and water systems. Launched in 2024, the project works directly with poor and vulnerable groups (women, youth, farmers, and relocating families) to co-design adaptation solutions that meet their priorities. These solutions include regenerative farming to boost urban food security, climate-resilient schools that double as safe community hubs, and other small-scale adaptation projects designed and led by the communities themselves. The process begins with capacity building and participatory planning sessions, where residents identify their needs and shape the projects that will transform their neighborhoods. Women and men in Faridpur, Bangladesh were trained in new livelihood skills such as jute production under TA 9329 focusing on community led projects. Photo credit: AIMS Bangladesh. Students from the Public Elementary School in Sepaku district, Indonesia, indicate their preferred school facilities during a community consultation workshop under the Nusantara GREEN project. Photo credit: URTF. Plan with evidence and people from the start. Resilience works best when integrated into the earliest stages of planning. Achieving this requires two key shifts: Ground decisions in data and local insight. Effective resilience begins with a clear understanding of who is at risk, why they are vulnerable, and how those risks may evolve. Cities can now leverage advanced tools, such as satellite imagery, earth observation, geospatial analysis, and real-time flood forecasting, to pinpoint risks and design context-sensitive solutions. When combined with local knowledge, these tools produce robust risk assessments that guide smarter investments for both people and the environment. In La Trinidad, Benguet, UCCRTF supported a community-led drainage project designed with future climate conditions in mind. The system accounts for projected rainfall and flood volumes over the next 50 years, using wider culverts to speed up the discharge of floodwater from strawberry and vegetable farms. This reduces losses for small farmers and entrepreneurs, while testing a design that could inspire city leaders to adopt resilient drainage standards. In Khulna, Bangladesh, a salinity study is helping the city plan a safer and more reliable water supply. Using GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modeling, the study mapped how salinity is spreading through rivers and groundwater. Rather than opting for a costly quick fix (relocating the water intake upstream), the study proposed a comprehensive package of solutions. These include integrated water management, managed aquifer recharge, dredging, seasonal storage reservoirs, and real-time monitoring. Together, these strategies aim to reduce dependence on groundwater extraction, a major driver of salinity ingress. The findings will guide Phase 2 of the Khulna Water Supply Project, which aims to reach 400,000 unserved residents and improve water reliability for 1.26 million people, especially during dry seasons and high-salinity months. Co-create solutions with communities. Too often, communities are consulted only after plans are drafted, missing out on vital local knowledge. Engaging people early leads to solutions that are practical, trusted, and sustainable. For example, as part of efforts to revitalize the Pasig River—a flagship initiative of the Philippine government to transform one of Metro Manila’s most historic and polluted waterways into vibrant, sustainable public spaces—a master plan is being developed for three new open spaces along the river. Through design charrettes, local groups and city leaders will co-create ideas, refine designs, and plan for long-term care and maintenance. This approach ensures that the riverfront spaces are not just built for the people, but with them. Track what matters to drive smarter decisions. Urban resilience is a long-term journey, and climate risks continue to evolve. To stay ahead, cities must measure progress, not just by what was built, but by what truly made a difference. Tracking outcomes helps cities learn, adapt, and make smarter investments. It also strengthens their case for attracting new financing. The key is to ask: “Did this project reduce risks for the communities we targeted? Did it improve health, equity, and quality of life?” One example is a study under India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, which aims to improve solid waste management in about 4,000 urban local bodies. The research will examine how better waste services affect health and well-being, especially for women, low-income households, and informal waste workers. It will also explore the hidden costs of uncollected waste, unpaid labor by women, and climate-related risks. These insights will help governments design future waste projects that deliver health, social, and climate benefits where they matter most. Implications Cities that combine large-scale investments with community engagement, evidence-based planning, and continuous learning achieve deeper, more lasting results. For decision-makers, the challenge is to move beyond stand-alone infrastructure projects and think in terms of systems and people. Every dollar should not only build assets but also strengthen how cities plan, involve communities, and adapt to evolving risks. When this happens, the benefits are tangible: healthier communities, safer homes, and more inclusive growth for those living with the everyday impacts of climate change. What is Urban Resilience Trust Fund? The Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF) is administered by ADB under the Urban Financing Partnerships Facility and supported by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. URTF helps cities across 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific design and implement integrated, inclusive, and locally anchored solutions for adapting to climate change. Through small grants, technical assistance, and knowledge support, it aims to strengthen systems, not just assets, to enhance urban resilience. URTF’s work aligns with ADB’s broader institutional goals, including the ADB’s new Corporate Results Framework, particularly on climate action and on resilience and empowerment. Resources Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2023. Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030. ADB. 2024. Guidelines for Preparing and Using a Design and Monitoring Framework. ADB. 2024. Steering ADB’s Corporate Strategy to Success: Corporate Results Framework 2025-2030. Ask the Experts Kristina Katich Senior Urban Development Specialist, Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Sectors Department 2, ADB Kristina Katich is a Senior Urban Development Specialist at ADB and Manager of the Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF). She brings global experience in urban climate adaptation and risk management, with a background that includes work with the World Bank in East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Urban Resilience Trust Fund Secretariat URTF Secretariat The Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF) Secretariat comprises specialists in climate resilience, urban planning, gender, monitoring, and evaluation. This multi-disciplinary team supports project design, implementation, and knowledge-sharing across the Trust Fund’s portfolio. For inquiries, please contact wudspurtf@adb.org. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.