This publication forms part of the Pacific Climate Change Program, which was developed under the Pacific Department’s Regional Technical Assistance for Strengthening
the Capacity of Pacific Developing Member Countries to Respond to Climate Change (November 2009 to December 2013).
Urbanization, combined with the increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards associated with the onset of climate change, is contributing to rising risk exposure in the Pacific. The region’s cities and towns serve as hubs for administration, essential social service provision, and drivers of economic growth.
However, because of this concentration of people, infrastructure, and economic activity, urban centers are highly exposed to natural hazard and climate change risks. Many of the region’s urban centers are located in hazard-prone areas such as coasts, flood plains, or low-lying atolls.
Read the full report at: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2013/moving-risk-resilience-sustainable-urban-development-pacific.pdf