In 2019, over half of the population in the Arab region and in the world lived in cities, and that percentage is expected to increase to over 68 per cent by 2050.1 Attention must therefore be devoted to sustainability and resilience. Urban resilience emerged as a paradigm that responds to the shocks and stresses resulting from rapid social, economic, environmental, technological and demographic changes affecting one or multiple urban systems at a time. City systems include urban transport, food networks, health-care services, air quality, energy grids and government services, among others.2 Cities require a resilient, sustainable operating model that can meet the needs of urban residents. Solutions should be economically viable, socially inclusive, environmentally resilient and sustainable. In other words, they should be financially self-sustaining, protect current resources for future generations and ensure that access to benefits and services is equitable across population segments without discrimination. Recognizing the central role of resilience in achieving sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on resilience in various targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, which also aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Furthermore, the New Urban Agenda places resilience at the centre of urban development.