Resilience and vulnerability at the urban nexus of food, water, energy and the environment

Duration: 10/15 – 09/18

Rapid urban growth and increasing social inequality have led to intense pressures on basic services in many cities, with the poorest caught in a state of extreme vulnerability with limited access to essential resources. In this context, the need for more efficient and integrated cross-sectoral systems of delivery, with a focus on justice and inclusion, is more urgent than ever. In this context, Resilience and Vulnerability at the Urban Nexus of Food, Water, Energy and the Environment examines the interdependent constraints and barriers that underpin the precariousness of many of the urban poor.

Through detailed participatory research in cities in Brazil (Guarulhos), Bulgaria (Sofia) and Uganda (Kampala), working in partnership with local communities, the research will examine how resilience is weakened by aggravations and trade-offs in different sectors. This will enable the team to create dynamic maps of vulnerabilities in each city. The findings will support decision makers and local authorities in developing more targeted, holistic strategies to address service gaps and promote positive synergies between food, water, energy and the environment.