Madrid is the fourth most climate-resilient city in the world, according to Savills

Above Madrid are Berlin, Toronto and Paris

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27 September 2023, 11:00

Savills has published its Climate Resilient Cities Index, in which Madrid ranks fourth behind Berlin, Toronto and Paris. The report measures major urban centres' climate stability and preparedness, where climate location and urban planning are essential.

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, to the extent that they have increased fivefold over the last 50 years, according to data provided by the consultancy. It's therefore interesting to know how the 23 largest, richest and most populated cities in the world have adapted to these phenomena.

Similarly, the report projects climate change-related events into the future to understand the potential hazards cities will face in 2050. Here, understanding buildings' resilience and vulnerability to climate-related dangers is essential.

The report provides the real estate sector with an awareness of the possible future of cities, allowing them to adapt to potential adversities before they occur. For cities expected to become hotter or wetter in the next 20 years, the report provides insights into how other cities in the same situation have introduced policies to mitigate the damage.

Most cities are aware of the risk

However, the real estate consultancy pointed out that almost all of the cities surveyed are aware of the risks they face and have plans to mitigate them. Despite this, the threats that cities will have to contend with continue to grow, forcing many city centres to adapt to problems such as extreme heat as temperatures rise.

Moreover, they'll have to consider issues such as rising sea levels, forest fires, plate movement, hurricanes and access to clean water. For some cities, these are future problems to adapt to, while for others, they are already present, with risks becoming more frequent.