Mark and Focus desk
Climate adaptation, disaster resilience, drought, flooding, extreme heat, coastal pressures, and the mechanisms used to strengthen resilience.
Primary analysis
Launched on 2 June 2026, the 50@50 city heat-action initiative brought together more than 50 cities around practical preparedness measures including green space, water fountains, cooling centers, early warnings, shade, and reflective design. A dozen cities are expected to conduct extreme-heat stress tests, depending on
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Urban Agriculture (UA) supports local food production while increasing demand for efficient water management in densely developed areas. Water conservation measures help gardens balance productivity with responsible resource use and strengthen long-term…
Read analysisUrban flooding is increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, urban densification, and expanding impervious surfaces. Drainage systems designed for earlier development patterns often struggle to manage larger runoff volumes…
Read analysisAgricultural water systems face increasing pressure from drought, rising supply costs, and competing urban demand. Climate-Smart Agriculture and efficient irrigation management help reduce water losses while maintaining agricultural productivity. These approaches support…
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No governed editor’s-pick selections are present in this release.
Long-form analysis
No governed Big Read designation is present in this release.
Complete chronology
With global demand for water projected to outstrip supply by 40% in 2030, cities around the world are facing a water-insecure future unless they balance rising demand with limited, and often variable,…
Read analysisWith the global population projected to reach 9 billion in 2050, demand for food is expected to increase by over 50% in 2030 and 70% in 2050. Already accounting for nearly 70%…
Read analysisSan Francisco’s paved surfaces, including buildings, streets and parking lots, cover most of the city, preventing rainwater from infiltrating into the ground. The result is that stormwater runoff travels across these impervious…
Read analysisWhat is a livability city? as experienced by its residents. However, cities are facing increased challenges from rising household consumption, rising demand for urban services, depletion of natural resources, increasing levels of…
Read analysisThe definition of a ‘smart city’ varies across people and sectors. One definition from the UK’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills is that through which citizen engagement, hard infrastructure, social capital…
Read analysis(WSUD) principles to manage water sustainably and be resilient to climate change. What is WSUD? The International Water Association has officially launched The IWA Principles for Water Wise Cities that outlines a…
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