The global dimension of urban vulnerability and resilience

Abstract

Urban resilience is a multidimensional category, critically important for the sustainable functioning of cities under contemporary challenges, including climate change, armed conflicts, technological disruptions, and demographic processes. A hypo­thesis has been formulated that the resilience of cities is determined by the level of economic development, the state of critical infrastructure, the effectiveness of socio-institutional governance, and environmental adaptability, with a balanced combination of these factors ensuring a higher capacity of the city to withstand crises and recover from them. The aim of the article is to identify and assess the factors that ensure urban resilience under contemporary challenges. To achieve the goal, general scientific and specific methods were used: systematization and generalization, statistical analysis, and comparison. Four key areas of urban resilience were considered: infrastructure, environ­mental, socio-institutional, and economic. Cities are increasingly using "smart management" and digital services, enhancing operational efficiency and adaptability. At the same time, digital vulnerability, cyberattacks, and risks to vulnerable population groups significantly complicate the situation. Aging infrastructure limits citiesʼ ability to provide essential services during emergencies. Environmental challenges increase urban vulnerability. Social inequality and limited access to services reduce collective resilience, especially among the elderly, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and low-income populations. According to the research results, the key role for the resilience of cities belongs to management and strategic planning. Ineffective governance, the absence of a long-term development strategy, weak coordination, and limited citizen participation weaken citiesʼ ability to respond to crises and mobilize resources. The analysed 2023 City Resilience Index indicated that North American and Western European cities, particularly New York, London, and Los Angeles, demonstrate high resilience, whereas Global South cities, such as Lagos, Dhaka, and Cairo, face structural limita­tions. It is possible to enhance urban resilience through infrastructure modernization, climate adaptation, strengthening social cohesion, citizen engagement, and economic diversification.