The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), through the Environment and Development Division (EDD) and its Sustainable Urban Development Section (SUDS), is transitioning its Cities for a Sustainable Future portfolio from a focus on SDG localization toward a comprehensive Urban Resilience Framework.
Outputs:
1. Activity 1: Initial Outline – Review ESCAP’s urban resilience portfolio (CECP, CARA, KECF, Urban Act, SCIL/DA18); develop an annotated outline and proposed methodology for the Urban Resilience Framework, including structure, focus areas, and key data sources. Deliverables: a. Annotated Outline and Work Plan for the Urban Resilience Framework (max 5 pages, with structure, scope, and preliminary mapping of linkages across ESCAP initiatives) (by 23 December 2025)
2. Activity 2: Analysis and Framing – Conduct a desk review and synthesis of ESCAP’s urban resilience work, identify cross-cutting synergies across land subsidence, heat, and air quality, and analyse regional urban resilience trends and gaps. Deliverables: b. Analysis and Synergy Mapping Report summarizing risks, opportunities, and institutional linkages (max 10 pages) (by 15 January 2026)
3. Activity 3: Conceptual Framework – Develop ESCAP’s regional definition and principles of urban resilience, integrating environmental, social, digital, and economic systems; map enabling policy levers, data needs, and institutional arrangements. Deliverables: c. Urban Resilience Concept Note and Framework (with draft indicators and theory of change) (max 10 pages) (by 15 February 2026)
4. Activity 4: Strategy Architecture – Draft the vision, objectives, and four pillars: (1) Risk-aware urban systems (land, water, heat); (2) Healthy and circular cities; (3) Inclusive governance and community resilience; (4) Urban finance, innovation, and digital systems. Deliverables: d. Draft Urban Resilience Strategy (by 15 March 2026) e. Final Urban Resilience Strategy (max 15 pages) (by 15 April 2026)
5. Activity 5: Action Programme 2026–2030 – Design pilot concepts, regional toolkits, and a capacity-building roadmap; propose mechanisms for city-to-city cooperation, subregional platforms, and results monitoring. Deliverables: f. Urban Resilience Action Programme (2026–2030) (max 10 pages) (by 15 May 2026) – – ) 15 August 2026
6. Activity 6: Donor and Partnership Landscape Analysis – Map key donors and initiatives (CECP, KECF, CARA, ADB, GCF, BMZ, MOEJ/MLIT, Netherlands, DFAT, EU, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rockefeller Foundation etc.); identify 6–9 funding entry points and pilot-ready concept ideas. Deliverables: g. Donor Mapping & Concept Pitch Portfolio (with indicative budgets) (max 10 pages) (by 15 June 2026) – – > by 15 September 2026
7. Activity 7: Validation and Final Report – Facilitate a hybrid consultation workshop (Bangkok or regional); integrate feedback from EDD divisions, subregional offices, and partners; finalize all deliverables. Deliverables: h. Final Report and Workshop Summary (max 10 pages) (by 15 June 2026) – – > by 15 October 2026
8. Activity 8: Policy recommendations and technical advice – Provide expert advice to support implementation of urban resilience projects; develop policy recommendations for local action plans. Deliverables: i. Draft urban resilience policy recommendations for four cities (throughout contract) How are the outputs to be delivered? • All outputs are to be delivered to the project manager by email in MS word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint to produce technical documents. • Consultations with stakeholders and workshops would be delivered in a form appropriate under the local circumstances. • Possible modalities include in-person interviews and focused group discussions, in-person or virtual workshops, virtual consultation with a selected multi-stakeholder group, or phone interviews, one-on-one interviews, and discussions with representatives of various departments, etc.