Integrating resilience into infrastructure – a wicked problem

The document describes the integration of resilience into infrastructure as a 'wicked problem' that requires moving beyond the thinking that created current challenges. While global agreements like the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework provide a foundation, the author notes that weather-related disasters account for approximately 80% of global disasters, disproportionately affecting infrastructure in low-income countries. The text emphasizes a dual need for small-scale infrastructure for immediate disaster response and large-scale infrastructure for long-term climate variability. It highlights the work of CDKN and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) in Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania to move from policy frameworks to the mainstreaming of climate into infrastructure design and delivery.

• Integrating resilience into infrastructure is characterized as a 'wicked problem' that cannot be solved using the same thinking that created the existing issues.
• Despite global diplomatic successes in sustainability and climate goals, weather-related disasters represent about 80% of all global disasters, with the most severe infrastructure impacts occurring in low-income countries.
• Climate resilience for impoverished communities requires a two-pronged infrastructure approach: small-scale projects for short-term disaster response and large-scale projects for long-term resilience to climate change and variability.

APA

Moosa, S. (n.d.). Integrating resilience into infrastructure – a wicked problem. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/story/opinion-integrating-resilience-infrastructure-wicked-problem

Chicago

Moosa, Shehnaaz. Integrating resilience into infrastructure – a wicked problem. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, n.d. https://cdkn.org/story/opinion-integrating-resilience-infrastructure-wicked-problem.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Moosa |first1=Shehnaaz |title=Integrating resilience into infrastructure – a wicked problem |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |url=https://cdkn.org/story/opinion-integrating-resilience-infrastructure-wicked-problem |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{moosandintegrating, author = {Moosa, Shehnaaz}, title = {{Integrating resilience into infrastructure – a wicked problem}}, publisher = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/story/opinion-integrating-resilience-infrastructure-wicked-problem}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }