Dominica: Urban resilience and risk-informed planning transform Roseau after Hurricane Maria

This case study was collected through a Call for Good Practices on Reducing Risk across SDG Transitions, launched by the UN DRR Focal Points Group in 2024.

SDGs addressed: 11 | 13 | 3

Hurricane Maria (2017) exposed Roseau's vulnerability. Guided by the National Resilient Development Strategy 2030 and the Climate Resilience Act (2018), the Roseau Enhancement Project integrates disaster-risk reduction, climate adaptation and inclusive urban planning. Led by the Roseau City Council with support from UNDP and CREAD, the initiative created a City Resilience Platform, completed GIS-based fire- and flood-hazard maps, drafted SOPs for an Emergency Operations Centre, and launched greening and infrastructure upgrades. Community workshops ensure the voices of vulnerable families and businesses guide decisions.

Innovation and Success factors

• City Resilience Platform institutionalises cross-sector decisions.
• GIS hazard mapping informs risk-proof infrastructure plans.
• Simulation drills & EWS protocols build readiness.
• Greening initiatives link DRR with healthier urban spaces.

Key impacts

• Fire-risk zones mapped; targeted risk-reduction actions launched.
• Flood-hazard maps support drainage and embankment upgrades.
• SOPs adopted for all-hazard operations in the new City EOC.
• Community capacity raised via drills and awareness campaigns.
• Greening & resilient-housing pilots improve living conditions.

Lessons learned for replication or adaptation

1. Participatory platforms secure ownership and political will.
2. Risk-informed infrastructure planning yields long-term gains.
3. Capacity building at city and community level is essential.
4. Policy alignment with national resilience acts speeds funding.
5. Integrated DRR-climate approach avoids siloed development.

Organisations involved

• UN entity: UNDP (technical support)
• Government & local: Roseau City Council (lead); Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD)
• Stakeholders: Local communities, private sector, media