Project Description
Urban areas in the Mekong region grew at a rapid pace of 3–5% annually, with projections showing over 40% of the population living in cities by 2030. While urbanization fueled economic development, it also intensified exposure to climate risks. Traditional reliance on grey infrastructure often failed to deliver sustainable outcomes for communities and ecosystems. The Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds (RUCaS) program, financed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), aimed to strengthen urban climate resilience through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and integrated water management in Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
The RUCaS program, led by ICEM and partners, sought to scale successful NbS practices from Thailand and Viet Nam and apply them in Cambodia and Lao PDR. The project engaged local stakeholders to identify priority actions and align opportunities for hybrid NbS investments. It demonstrated local applications and economic benefits of NbS, supported scaling efforts for broader regional impact, and strengthened institutional partnerships and capacities. Through this four-stage approach, RUCAS promoted sustainable urban planning models that integrated NbS, improved water resilience, and fostered long-term collaboration among urban authorities in the Mekong region.
Links
Background paper: Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds
Program summary Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds
