Resilience by Design: Reimagining Urban Systems in an Age of Climate Uncertainty

As cities confront escalating climatic hazards, environmental instability, and expanding socio-spatial vulnerabilities, urban resilience has become a key idea in modern urban discourse. This introductory chapter situates the volume within the broader context of climate uncertainty and the necessity of design-led strategies for urban resilience. It contends that resilience is a multifaceted issue that encompass spatial design, governance frameworks, and community involvement rather than just a technical or infrastructure issue. The chapter presents the book’s conceptual framework, structured around two complimentary viewpoints: (1) everyday practices of community adaptation and recovery and (2) theoretical and methodological advancements in resilient urban design. It summarises the volume’s main objectives, which include recording design approaches at various sizes, expanding conceptual discussions on resilient urban systems, and emphasising the influence of social networks and local knowledge on adaptive urban futures. In conclusion, resilience is framed as a dynamic and transformative process through which cities can learn, adapt, and evolve in response to climate uncertainty.