Resilient Cities

A rush of rural-urban migration starting in the 1980s has fueled population growth in cities, particularly in Mexico and Central America. Cities continue to be important destinations for climate mobility, offering economic opportunities away from agriculture.

Finding work in the city is a strategy, usually pursued by young men, to diversify family incomes. In Colombia and Costa Rica, this practice is common, both as a temporary stopgap and permanent arrangement. For others, like hurricane survivors in the Bahamas, moving to the city is a last resort after their homes were damaged beyond repair.

Future climate change will amplify these movement patterns. Over the next several decades, more diversified economies will insulate large cities from the worst impacts of climate change and make them comparatively more resilient. Unsurprisingly, they are projected to become the resettlement option of choice for people leaving rural areas. The region’s 11 largest cities are all projected to be key climate mobility destinations.

Across Central America, with the exception of Belize, more people are expected to arrive in metropolitan areas than leave them. The same is true for Colombia. The region’s major cities will thus be confronted with the dual challenge of adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of current residents while planning for future population growth and the inclusion of newcomers.

Finding work in the city is a strategy, usually pursued by young men, to diversify family incomes. In Colombia and Costa Rica, this practice is common, both as a temporary stopgap and permanent arrangement. For others, like hurricane survivors in the Bahamas, moving to the city is a last resort after their homes were damaged beyond repair.

Future climate change will amplify these movement patterns. Over the next several decades, more diversified economies will insulate large cities from the worst impacts of climate change and make them comparatively more resilient. Unsurprisingly, they are projected to become the resettlement option of choice for people leaving rural areas. The region’s 11 largest cities are all projected to be key climate mobility destinations.

Across Central America, with the exception of Belize, more people are expected to arrive in metropolitan areas than leave them. The same is true for Colombia. The region’s major cities will thus be confronted with the dual challenge of adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of current residents while planning for future population growth and the inclusion of newcomers.

Finding work in the city is a strategy, usually pursued by young men, to diversify family incomes. In Colombia and Costa Rica, this practice is common, both as a temporary stopgap and permanent arrangement. For others, like hurricane survivors in the Bahamas, moving to the city is a last resort after their homes were damaged beyond repair.

Future climate change will amplify these movement patterns. Over the next several decades, more diversified economies will insulate large cities from the worst impacts of climate change and make them comparatively more resilient. Unsurprisingly, they are projected to become the resettlement option of choice for people leaving rural areas. The region’s 11 largest cities are all projected to be key climate mobility destinations.

Across Central America, with the exception of Belize, more people are expected to arrive in metropolitan areas than leave them. The same is true for Colombia. The region’s major cities will thus be confronted with the dual challenge of adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of current residents while planning for future population growth and the inclusion of newcomers.

However, smaller cities could lose population due to climate impacts. Cities in the region - especially coastal ones - face their own climate challenges, including threats from sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, and droughts. Impervious infrastructure and building materials, as well as high housing informality heighten the risk of urban populations to hazards such as flooding.

Urban areas in some countries will serve as points of departure for international migration, as people flee climate damage and seek employment and education opportunities abroad. Across the Caribbean SIDS, Mexico, Belize, Suriname, and Guyana, urban populations are expected to decline as a result of the economic impacts of climate change.

However, smaller cities could lose population due to climate impacts. Cities in the region - especially coastal ones - face their own climate challenges, including threats from sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, and droughts. Impervious infrastructure and building materials, as well as high housing informality heighten the risk of urban populations to hazards such as flooding.

Urban areas in some countries will serve as points of departure for international migration, as people flee climate damage and seek employment and education opportunities abroad. Across the Caribbean SIDS, Mexico, Belize, Suriname, and Guyana, urban populations are expected to decline as a result of the economic impacts of climate change.

However, smaller cities could lose population due to climate impacts. Cities in the region - especially coastal ones - face their own climate challenges, including threats from sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, and droughts. Impervious infrastructure and building materials, as well as high housing informality heighten the risk of urban populations to hazards such as flooding.

Urban areas in some countries will serve as points of departure for international migration, as people flee climate damage and seek employment and education opportunities abroad. Across the Caribbean SIDS, Mexico, Belize, Suriname, and Guyana, urban populations are expected to decline as a result of the economic impacts of climate change.

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