Poku, Adjoa Afriyie, et al. "Climate and Environmental Risks and Resilience in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Africa

Small- and medium-sized cities (SMCs) are often left out of climate change discussions, with attention typically centered on large cities. Yet, these smaller and medium-sized cities face unique challenges in building resilience due to limited resources, aging infrastructure, and distinct geographic and socioeconomic factors. Case studies in African cities show how these vulnerabilities can compound, impacting public health, infrastructure, ecosystems, and local economies. This chapter highlights the resilience challenges and opportunities facing SMCs worldwide. Through document analysis, it reviews the climate and environmental risks these cities encounter and explores strategies to strengthen resilience. Common hazards were examined with key vulnerabilities being economic dependency on limited industries, higher poverty levels, and limited technical capacity for climate adaptation. Finally, the chapter assesses resilience strategies, including sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure investment, economic diversification, improved emergency preparedness, and community involvement, stressing the need for context-specific plans tailored to each city's unique needs.