World Bank plan to improve Marshall Islands’ urban areas

Majuro: The World Bank has approved a new project to strengthen the climate resilience, safety, and livability of urban areas of the Marshall Islands.

The Urban Resilience Project includes support for more climate resilient public facilities and urban spaces, and assistance for climate adaptation planning and policies.

The project also includes the construction of coastal protection including sea walls, dikes and embankments, to protect important infrastructure in the capital, Majuro.

Marshall Islands’ urban centres are some of the most densely populated areas in the Pacific, and internal migration from outer islands has intensified over the past 30 years.

This exacerbates risks to climate change and natural hazards and requires more risk-informed urban planning and regulations.