Partner: Cities Race to Resilience
Countries and regions: Manta (Ecuador), Segamat (Malaysia), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Saanich (Canada), Palmas (Brazil)
SAA systems: Early warning systems, health

With climate-related hazards on the rise, cities are stepping up efforts to protect public health and reduce disaster risk. From early warning systems and evacuation planning to urban greening and cooling initiatives, local governments are focusing on practical solutions to strengthen preparedness and reduce exposure to extreme heat and weather – particularly for the most vulnerable.

This article provides a snapshot of how cities involved in the Race to Resilience partner initiative, Cities Race to Resilience are leading locally-driven action to address these challenges. Their approaches – from community-based risk management to the expansion of green infrastructure – reflect a growing commitment to building safer, healthier, and more climate-resilient urban environments.

Early warning systems and disaster preparedness

Early warning systems are essential to helping communities respond in time to extreme weather and other hazards. Cities are integrating technology, community engagement, and emergency protocols to strengthen local resilience.

• Manta (Ecuador) has delivered training for volunteers to form community risk management committees. Activities have included evacuation drills, pre-hospital care training, urban and forest fire preparedness, and guidance on family emergency plans.

• Segamat (Malaysia) uses a multi-hazard platform to share early warnings via social media, newspapers, public announcements, and other tools. Community involvement is central to these efforts, helping ensure preparedness and enabling early action when needed.

Heat stress response and urban cooling

Many cities are also investing in urban cooling strategies to address rising temperatures and reduce the impact of heatwaves.

• Saanich (Canada) supports building design and retrofits to reduce heat exposure and improve air quality. This includes passive and active strategies such as shading devices, vegetation screens, and heat pumps. The city is involved in regional projects to improve data on heat vulnerability and continues to advocate for updates to provincial building codes to address future climate conditions.

• Palmas (Brazil) is implementing its Urban Afforestation Plan by planting trees and expanding green areas to reduce the urban heat island effect. This work is supported by legal reforms, increased capacity for environmental management, and community engagement. Projects include community plantations, green corridors, and programmes like Água Viva, which focuses on green areas near water bodies.

• Freetown (Sierra Leone) has installed solar-powered shade covers in three open-air markets. Co-designed with community members, these structures help reduce heat stress and protect vendors from extreme weather. The solar panels also power lighting, extending commercial hours and improving safety and economic opportunities for an estimated 2,300 market women.

About Cities Race to Resilience

Cities Race to Resilience works to elevate the role of cities in global climate discussions and encourage investment in climate adaptation. The initiative provides a platform for local governments to share progress and learn from each other. In 2024, data from 127 cities was submitted through the CDP-ICLEI Track and is available on CDP’s Open Data Portal. Local governments interested in joining can contact: racetoresilience@iclei.org or lea.busch@cdp.net