News
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Urban projects from Colombia, France, India, Pakistan and the Philippines selected for innovative and inclusive responses to uncertainty, disruption and crisis.
The Prize for Cities is WRI’s urban transformation award, recognizing the leaders creating more sustainable and inclusive cities worldwide. Photo by City of Paris
KATOWICE, POLAND (June 29, 2022) — World Resources Institute announced five projects as finalists for the 2021-2022 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities today at the 11th World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland.
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The Coalition for Urban Transitions has put zero-carbon, resilient and inclusive cities firmly on the agenda of national governments the world over.
Following five years of supporting and advocating for national government leadership on sustainable, prosperous and equitable cities, the Coalition for Urban Transitions will sunset at the end of 2021. A special initiative of the New Climate Economy (NCE), the Coalition was jointly managed by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.
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Third cycle of premier urban prize will award $350,000 to global projects demonstrating how cities can thrive in turbulent times
Recognizing the confluence of challenges with COVID-19 recovery, climate change and growing urban inequality, the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities welcomes the opportunity to showcase outstanding projects and urban leaders spearheading citywide transformations in response to these challenges.
WASHINGTON (October 31, 2021)—World Resources Institute (WRI) Ross Center for Sustainable Cities has launched the third cycle of the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities, a global competition celebrating and spotlighting transformative urban change. The announcement comes on World Cities Day, a global occasion to mark efforts in advancing opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization around the world.
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With 1 in 3 city dwellers lacking access to basic services, new WRI report charts a new urban roadmap to improve billions of lives, reduce environmental damage and generate economic prosperity for all.
Synthesizing six years of research from more than 30 authors, the report shows that as urbanization has changed, income alone is no longer a sufficient barometer for quality of life and a thriving city — access to high-quality, reliable and affordable essential services, from clean water to decent housing, must be prioritized. Photo by Unequal Scenes
WASHINGTON (October 19, 2021)—A new report from WRI finds that 1 in 3 city dwellers globally and 2 in 3 city dwellers in low-income countries are “under-served” — lacking access to one or more core urban services like affordable running water and sanitation, consistent electricity, decent housing, reliable transport to work and school, safe cooking fuel and more. In some cities, the number of people under-served grows to an astonishing 90% of residents.
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The $250,000 Prize for Cities goes to urban agriculture program for building inclusive climate resilience and improving access to healthy, local food
Sustainable Food Production for a Resilient Rosario, a project by the municipality of Rosario, Argentina, has evolved from a response to economic crisis into a cornerstone of climate adaptation and social inclusion. Photo by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
WASHINGTON, DC (June 29, 2021)—WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities announced today that the grand prize for the 2020-2021 Prize for Cities has been awarded to Sustainable Food Production for a Resilient Rosario, a project by the municipality of Rosario, Argentina. The project has evolved from a response to economic crisis into a cornerstone of climate adaptation and social inclusion.
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The Transformative Urban Coalitions project seeks to change structures and values by shifting mindsets and building new coalitions for socially inclusive, zero-carbon cities. Photo by Daniel Lozano Valdés/Unsplash
Cities account for 75% of global carbon emissions. Meeting global emission goals will require city leadership. At the same time, cities are deeply affected by the current climate crisis. Extreme heat events, water stress, deterioration of natural assets and air pollution are lowering the quality of life in cities and putting severe stress on infrastructure.
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The Clean Air Catalyst will work to accelerate clean air solutions in low- and middle-income countries. Photo by Saurav Purkayastha/Dreamstime
Nine out of 10 people are exposed to polluted air, according to the World Health Organization. Cities in the developing world are at the frontlines of this health and climate crisis.
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Projects from Argentina, India, Kenya, Mexico and the United Kingdom chosen for demonstrated impact on climate risk, resilience and socioeconomic inequality
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities is the premier global award celebrating and spotlighting transformative urban change. This year's theme of climate and equity drew more than 260 applications from around the world.
WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2020) — WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities announced five projects as finalists for the 2020-2021 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities today for showing how cities can address both climate change and inequality together.
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Photo by Corey O’Hara/iStock
Cities are not only at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also likely to see lasting changes from it, from their physical form to economic and community structure. On April 29, more than 600 participants tuned in to a high-level panel hosted by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities that brought together key urban experts to discuss what national governments and cities should invest in now to respond to pressing needs and become more resilient in the future, and how urban investments can reach where they are needed most.
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$350,000 to be awarded to transformative urban initiatives tackling the climate crisis and inequality around the world.
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities calls upon urban change-makers to deliver transformative and innovative solutions for a resilient future.
ABU DHABI (February 10, 2020)—Today, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities launched the second cycle of the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities, a global competition that celebrates transformative urban change. The announcement comes during the 10th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum, the world’s largest gathering of urban changemakers. Applications are now being accepted for the Prize for Cities, which will award $250,000 to one winner and $25,000 each to four runners-up.