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A third of the natural disasters that have occurred around the world in the last three decades have been in Asia. Asia’s cities—among the areas in the world most vulnerable to climate change events—are growing rapidly: By 2025, 30 of the world’s megacities, or urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million, will be in Asia. Yet by mid-century, the region could face annual disaster losses exceeding $19 billion.

By 2050, 75 percent of the global population are expected to live in cities. Because of the collision of globalization, urbanization, and climate change, not a week goes by that there’s not a disruption to a city somewhere in the world: a cyber attack, a natural disaster, or economic or social upheaval. Meanwhile, cities face acute stresses, such as poverty, endemic crime and violence, or failing infrastructure, that weaken a city over time.