Resiliency

5 Ways to Build Cities That Can Better Withstand Climate Extremes

Smarter land-use and nature-based solutions are among the approaches highlighted in a new report, which also focuses on equity considerations and how to pay for projects.

  • By Molly Bolan

Pushing Ahead Projects to Protect Against Climate-related Disasters

Projects to deal with risks like flooding and hurricanes are being buoyed by new federal funding. But state and local officials say it can sometimes be a heavy lift to access the money.

  • By Molly Bolan

A New Tech Tool to Help Communities Confront Climate Risks

The just-launched federal website provides a range of information around extreme weather and natural disasters.

  • By Molly Bolan

Hit by Wet Weather and Mudslides, a City Seeks New Ways to Adapt

COMMENTARY | A recent pilot program in Pittsburgh shows promise as a model for how the city and surrounding region can develop solutions to climate hazards.

  • By Garima Prasai and Shail Joshi, Resilient Cities Catalyst

Early Warning System Pinpoints Flooded Roads in Some States

Nearly a dozen states are using real-time, hyper-local monitoring to assess potential flooding at specific bridges or roads.

  • By Jenni Bergal, Stateline

Modern Building Codes Slash Energy Costs, Boost Resiliency

COMMENTARY | Homeowners are demanding features that up-to-date codes can help deliver but almost half of states have not embraced these standards.

  • By Ryan Colker

For Flood-Prone Cities, Seawalls Raise as Many Questions as They Answer

COMMENTARY | Urban leaders and elected officials at all levels of government need to consider carefully before they invest billions of dollars.

  • By Gary Griggs, The Conversation

Now Is the Time to Tackle Climate Change. Here’s How States Can Lead.

COMMENTARY | The risks from climate change hazards are growing in most American communities. State governments play a key role in helping local governments build a pipeline of resilience projects that will mitigate risks from extreme weather hazards.

  • By Joyce Coffee and Pete Plastrik

Fire Official Urges Governors to Be Proactive on Hardening Homes Against Wildfire

Failing to do so, the official said, means “we're just building tomorrow’s problems.”

  • By Bill Lucia

From Hurricanes to Pandemics: Benefiting from Crisis Lessons Learned

COMMENTARY | Elected and appointed officials must anticipate a broad range of possible catastrophes and put effective plans in place now to meet challenges like Covid-19 and future disasters.

  • By Mark McQueen

Despite Mitigation Efforts, Watchdog Finds Rise in Repeatedly Flooded Properties

The Government Accountability Office says steps like acquiring and demolishing flood-prone homes won't be enough to shore up the finances of the National Flood Insurance Program.

  • By Bill Lucia

Resilience Renewed in Houston

For the fifth year in a row, the Route Fifty roadshow will explore the biggest themes in state and local government. This year’s roadshow kicks off in Houston, Texas to explore the city’s resiliency journey.

  • By Alisha Powell Gillis
Featured eBooks
Road and Transit Infrastructure Trends
Federal Recovery Funds at the State and Local Level
Infrastructure at a Turning Point

Going All-In On Resilience

COMMENTARY | Senior public administrators have a duty and the power to encourage the public sector community to more readily embrace resilience.

  • By John Paczkowski

States Take the Reins in Resilience Planning

Governors say states are taking steps to assure their long-term resiliency in the face of worsening climate change—and in the absence of sweeping federal action.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Former Emergency Managers: Act Now Before the Next Storm

COMMENTARY | A former FEMA Administrator and former Florida emergency manager urge states and local governments to invest time and resources into preparing for future severe weather events.

  • By Bryan Koon and David Paulison

Rockefeller Foundation Commits $8 Million to New Climate and Resilience Program

The move comes as the 100 Resilient Cities initiative supported by the foundation winds down.

  • By Bill Lucia

A ‘Resilience’ Plan That’s About Much More Than Climate Change

The District of Columbia’s first ever resilience strategy focuses on areas ranging from flooding to affordable housing.

  • By Bill Lucia

A Message to FEMA: Respond to Disasters Differently

Providing money to states faster after disasters, and offering funds before they strike, would make communities safer, governors said.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Governors Request More Federal Support for Climate and Emissions Efforts

Expanding resilient infrastructure grants topped their list.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Entrepreneurs May Yet Save Us From Climate Change

COMMENTARY | Adapting to climate change will require new approaches at the local level. On the Chesapeake Bay, entrepreneurs are being incentivized to find the answers.

  • By Paul Robinson and Katerina Oskarsson

Boston Looks to Shore Up Its Harbor Against Flooding in 2019

The city wants a $10 million federal grant to make its coastline more resilient ahead of disasters.

  • By Dave Nyczepir