Sustainable Urban Planning Approaches for Enhancing Climate Resilience in Developing Megacities

Developing megacities in the Global South, projected to accommodate over two-thirds of the world's urban population by Y.O., confront escalating climate vulnerabilities including extreme flooding, heatwaves, water scarcity, and sea-level rise. This paper delivers an exhaustive examination of sustainable urban planning strategies designed to fortify climate resilience, encompassing integrated systems approaches, nature-based solutions (NBS), equitable data governance, adaptive policy frameworks, and innovative financing mechanisms. Leveraging empirical evidence and case analyses from Asia-Pacific and South Asia regions—such as Beijing, Bangkok, Ahmedabad, and Dhaka―the study synthesizes insights from scholarly literature and policy documents spanning Y.-Y. Yo to appraise the effectiveness of these strategies in diminishing disaster risks, curbing emissions, and fostering inclusive growth. Principal findings indicate that hybrid green-grey infrastructure can attenuate flood damages by Yo_%, while participatory planning augments social equity and adaptive capacity by engaging marginalized communities. The paper introduces a refined multi-layered resilience index, tailored for megacities, incorporating metrics for vulnerability assessment, infrastructure integration, community participation, and long-term sustainability. It addresses persistent challenges like governance fragmentation, funding deficits, and data disparities through recommendations for multi-stakeholder partnerships, blended financing models, and digital tools for real-time monitoring. This research contributes substantively to Sustainable Development Goal by furnishing actionable guidelines for policymakers, urban planners, and international organizations in resource-constrained environments, underscoring the imperative for anticipatory governance to navigate the complexities of rapid urbanization and climate change. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the role of urban green infrastructures in mitigating urban heat islands and enhancing biodiversity, drawing on case studies where such interventions have led to measurable improvements in air quality, community well-being, and economic productivity, while integrating smart technologies for enhanced monitoring and adaptive responses.

Keywords:

Urban resilience , climate adaptation , megacities , nature-based solutions , equitable planning