Resilient urban centres and surrounds - Water Sensitive Cities Australia

Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds Phase 2 (RUCAS 2)

Supporting climate-resilient and inclusive urban communities, environments and economies through locally led urban nature-based solutions

Publications

Case studies

News and Events

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Nature-based solutions offer a wide range of benefits to growing urban communities to help build resilient urban centres and surrounds.

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If you have any questions, contact us at info@wscaustralia.org.au

We are working with partners in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam to deliver, monitor and scale inclusive hybrid nature-based solutions that strengthen climate, disaster and water resilience in urban areas.

The program is supported by the Australian Government through the Mekong–Australia Partnership and Climate Resilient Communities.

Across the Greater Mekong region, urban growth is expanding into wetlands, river corridors, peri-urban areas and low-lying land. These pressures increase people’s exposure to flooding, heat, pollution and loss of ecosystem services. They’re exacerbated by climate change. And they affect people unevenly.

Women, people with disabilities, informal workers, low-income communities and people living in poorly serviced or marginal areas often face greater exposure to climate and urban development risks, while having less influence over investment and planning decisions.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) can promote inclusive, climate-resilient urban areas through addressing local environmental, social and economic issues.

Building on the foundation of the first phase of RUCAS (RUCAS 1), Phase 2 (RUCAS 2) moves from reinforcing the value of NbS to supporting practical, locally led delivery through demonstrations, training, technical support, finance and maintenance planning, and decision-ready evidence. Gender Equality, Disability Equity and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is embedded from the start so women, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups help shape solutions and benefit from them.

RUCAS 2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

RUCaS 1 focused on strengthening technical capacity, piloting nature-based solutions (NbS) concepts through guidance, tools and demonstrations, and increasing institutional support for scaling climate-resilient urban development across the subregion.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RUCAS 1

This program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The information and views contained on this page are the author's and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.

Activities

RUCAS 2 is currently in its inception phase (June–December 2026), confirming priorities, workplans, roles and systems. We will provide more information about our activities at the end of this period.

RUCaS 2 activities will focus on achieving two key outcomes:

Locally led hybrid NbS demonstrations

RUCAS 2 will support a small number of feasible demonstrations that are locally owned, climate-risk informed, inclusive, and supported by clear governance, monitoring, operation and maintenance arrangements.

Guidance, tools and evidence used in practice

RUCAS 2 will help partners apply NbS guidance, tools and evidence in planning, design, budgeting, approval and policy processes, so lessons from demonstrations can support wider uptake.

Low-cost sensors strengthen local monitoring of NBS

SITE TOURS DEMONSTRATE HYBRID NBS IN ACTION

Events that share knowledge and build capability

RUCAS 2 will build on the strong network established through RUCAS 1 by continuing to bring together government, universities, civil society, organisations of persons with disabilities, women’s organisations, technical and development partners, and the private sector. A key focus will be ongoing engagement through RUCAS 2 events, including workshops, knowledge exchanges and other opportunities to share learning, strengthen connections and support collaboration on hybrid NbS.

VISIT OUR EVENTS PAGE

Aug / 2026

Webinar: Inclusive and Equitable Nature Based Solutions: From Principles to Practice

Jan / 2026

NbS Typologies for Wetland Cities Workshop

Nov / 2025

National Knowledge Sharing Workshop in Integrated Urban Water Management and the Role of Nature-based Solutions

Inclusive principles embedded in all activities

Gender Equality, Disability Equity and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is embedded from the start so women, people with disabilities and other underrpresented groups help shape and operate solutions, and benefit from them.

Meaningful GEDSI outcomes depend on:

Early analysis
Defined decision points for participation
Practical support to technical and partner teams
Documentation of inclusive and equitable changes in scope, design, monitoring, operations and maintenance
Clear communication.