Climate resilient urban development: an agenda for Small Island Developing States

Abstract

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face severe climate impacts and offer lessons in resilience. Their cities share distinct climate vulnerabilities, while sometimes compounding social and environmental pressures. Yet, urbanization remains largely absent from SIDS’ climate strategies and overlooked in international frameworks. This perspective argues that stronger support of sustainable urbanization is needed, using case studies from three regions to propose key principles for a resilient urban development agenda for SIDS.