News
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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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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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$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.
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The municipality of Hermosillo in Sonora State hosted a workshop to help the project teams prepare financial models and further their projects
TheCityFix Labs México project teams explore Hermosillo, Sonora, during the fourth workshop. Photo by WRI México
On October 29, WRI México conducted the fourth installment of TheCityFix Labs México workshops in Hermosillo, Sonora. TheCityFix Labs is an initiative of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, with support from the Citi Foundation. TheCityFix Labs México is currently supporting the preparation, technical design and financial feasibility of seven sustainable infrastructure projects across the country.
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RELEASE: New Research Finds Climate Adaptation Is an Opportunity for Transformative Change in Cities
Urban adaptation should incorporate climate risks into planning, work with vulnerable communities and focus on nature-based solutions
Photo by ajijchan.
COPENHAGEN (October 9, 2019) — By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in
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New research finds millions have access only a few hours a day to poor quality water, while others are forced to pay up to a quarter of monthly household income for private provision
Photo by Sarel Kromer/Flickr
WASHINGTON (August 13, 2019) — While much attention has been focused on dramatic “day zero” moments in big cities like Cape Town and Chennai, at the household and family level, the tap runs dry much more often than previously thought. Vast segments of the urban population in the global south lack access to safe, reliable and affordable water for daily use, according to new research from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. For these households, every day can be day zero.
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Project teams from across Mexico convened in Cholula, Puebla, to discuss finding tailored financial mechanisms and funding sources
WRI's Emma Stewart and Gabriela Morales with TheCityFix Labs México project cohort in Cholula, Puebla. Photo by WRI México
On July 4, representatives from each of the seven TheCityFix Labs México projects gathered at the University of the Americas in San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, to discuss financing mechanisms for sustainable infrastructure projects. TheCityFix Labs is an initiative of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, with support from the Citi Foundation, designed to help cities prepare, finance and implement sustainable urban projects.
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Training will help entrepreneurs pilot and scale sustainability solutions for more efficient cities
Hyderabad metro. Photo by Rajesh Pamnani/Flickr
HYDERABAD, India (October 8, 2018) – WRI India Ross Center, with support from the Citi Foundation, convened TheCityFix Labs policy dialogue today in Hyderabad on “Accelerating Innovation: Water | Waste | Energy.” This one-of-a-kind initiative is aimed at establishing a platform to help coordinate investors, entrepreneurs and the state for public good by connecting the innovation ecosystem.
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WRI India hosts Unlock Bengaluru 2018
Unlock Bengaluru 2018. Photo by WRI India
BENGALURU (July 21, 2018) — Bengaluru’s trajectory of unprecedented urbanization and economic growth has brought with it the chaos of haphazard development that is negatively impacting human and environmental health. On July 21, WRI India convened urban experts for Unlock Bengaluru 2018.
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World Resources Institute has established WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities to encompass a wider range of issues related to urban sustainability. Photo by Christian Haugen/Flickr.
Today, we are launching the public face of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and WRIcities.org.