Building Capacity to Assess Urban Climate Hazards and Tackle Heat and Flooding in Cities

Co-developed by WRI India, UrbanShift, and Cities4Forests, this three-part series of self-study courses are designed to build the capacity of city officials and urban practitioners to conduct vulnerability assessments. With this knowledge, cities will be better equipped to implement effective nature-based approaches to enhance climate resilience to heat and flooding in cities.  

The three modules have been thoughtfully developed to build on each other to offer a comprehensive view of this essential subject. Interested users are encouraged to review all three modules consecutively, to enhance their learning experience. The three modules are: 

Module 1: An Introduction to the ‘Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment’ Framework to Prioritize Resilience Actions in Cities 

This module introduces the Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) framework, which helps cities prioritize resilience actions by identifying the most vulnerable areas, communities, and infrastructure.  

The CHVA framework has been applied in numerous and diverse urban contexts to evaluate differential vulnerabilities to climate hazards.  For example, several Indian cities have used the CHVA to assess how different communities are affected by climate risks, considering factors such as socioeconomic status, infrastructure quality, and environmental conditions. Urban planners and policymakers in cities including Mumbai, Nashik, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Bengaluru, and Kochi have used the CHVA to develop targeted strategies that enhance resilience among the most vulnerable populations. This learning module helps cities identify and tackle the needs of those who are socially, economically, and politically vulnerable to climate hazards. To learn more about the CHVA framework and its applications, access the WRI CHVA publication here. 

This module was presented during a three-part capacity building webinar series, which UrbanShift hosted in collaboration with WRI India and Cities4Forests on 5 February 2025.  

• Access the recording here   

Module 2: Nature-Based Solutions to Tackle Extreme Heat in Cities

As regions have urbanized, heat-absorbing surfaces have replaced natural areas, eroding green cover and diminishing water bodies. This module explores how cities can re-introduce nature-based solutions, like green infrastructure and urban forests, to mitigate their intensifying heat challenges.  Spanning guidance for identifying hotspots, types of nature-based solutions, and case studies of successful implementation, the module offers a clear roadmap for building city-wide resilience to heat.  

This module was presented during a three-part capacity building webinar series, hosted by UrbanShift in collaboration with WRI India and Cities4Forests on 5 March 2025.  

• Access recording here 

Module 3: Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Flooding and Stormwater Risks in Cities 

With increasing impervious surfaces and inadequate stormwater management, urban floods pose a significant challenge for cities, their residents, and their infrastructure. This module highlights methods to identify flood-prone areas, explore blue-green infrastructure solutions, and presents case studies on flood resilience. The module also discusses policies and long-term interventions for holistic water security. 

This module was presented during a three-part capacity building webinar series, hosted by UrbanShift in collaboration with WRI India and Cities4Forests on 26 March 2025. 

• Access the recording here