As part of the Global Urban Resilience Monthly Programme, a two-part webinar addressed the pressing issue of infrastructure security within the increasingly complex landscape of environmental, political and technological risks. With extreme events like floods, wildfires and cyber threats becoming more frequent, experts from civil engineering, urban policy and security sectors stressed the urgency for cities to not only respond to these challenges but to proactively prepare for an uncertain future.
The webinar addressed several key themes, including the need for infrastructure to evolve in response to the growing importance of digital and green systems. Experts discussed how cities can integrate these systems while maintaining a balance between resilience and affordability. Additionally, the conversation highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding key institutions, which face heightened technical, political and social vulnerability amidst global instability.
Speakers from the UK, US, Indonesia and other regions shared diverse perspectives on strategies for keeping cities functional, secure and sustainable. They emphasized the need for strategic collaboration across sectors, as well as the role of innovation and policy-making in building adaptive, resilient urban environments. Importantly, the discussions also underlined that infrastructure resilience must be complemented by strong social and societal resilience. From community preparedness to inclusive policymaking, fostering social cohesion and public trust is vital to supporting all other aspects of national resilience development.
As the world continues to face increasingly interconnected risks, the webinar emphasized that the path to future-proof cities demands both thoughtful planning and urgent action..
