Dive into the heart of urban resilience and climate finance in this thought-provoking episode of the Urban Exchange podcast, where hosts Paul Wilson, Chair of the Advisory Board at Smart Cities World. and Nate Echeverria, North America Engagement Lead, Resilient Cities Network, are joined by Roland White, Global Lead for City Finance and Management at the World Bank. Together, they unravel the complex web of city-level financing, exploring why cities are increasingly at the forefront of the global climate agenda – and what it will take for them to drive transformative change.

From the bustling innovation hubs of North America to rapidly urbanizing regions in Asia and Africa, this episode delves into the real-world challenges cities face in securing the investment needed for climate resilience. Why is there such a massive gap between the infrastructure cities need and the funding they actually receive? What makes private investment in municipal projects so elusive, especially in developing countries? And how do regulatory frameworks, fiscal decentralization, and local revenue generation shape the ability of cities to chart their own financial futures?

White brings a wealth of global experience to the table, offering candid insights into the successes and setbacks of municipal finance systems around the world. The conversation moves beyond theory, touching on practical examples like the UK’s Cities Climate Investment Commission and the evolving US municipal bond market, while also addressing the risks of municipal bankruptcy and the critical importance of robust regulatory systems.

The discussion doesn’t stop at challenges. Find out about innovative solutions – such as credit enhancement facilities and targeted technical assistance – that could help cities become more attractive to private investors and better prepared to deliver on ambitious climate goals. The episode also spotlights the rising influence of cities in international forums like COP, and the growing recognition that local action is essential for global progress.

Tune in to discover not just the obstacles, but the opportunities – and leave with new ideas about how cities can lead the way in the fight against climate change.

Find out more about the World Bank and GDFRR’s City Resilience Program here.

The Speakers

About Roland White

With an international career stretching over 30 years across private, public and multilateral development bank sectors, Roland has led major urban analytic, policy advisory and investment operations in multiple countries across several world regions. He has also led a number of global engagements in the city finance space, including serving as co-lead of the Municipal Finance Policy Group for the Habitat III 20-year “New Urban Agenda” conference held in Quito in 2016.

About Paul Wilson

Paul Wilson is the Chair of the SmartCitiesWorld Advisory Board, and Chief Business Officer for the Connected Places Catapult. Paul has more than 25 years’ international leadership, sales and marketing experience in the B2B Technology Media Telecom sector, including being CMO of global digital transformation association TM Forum and $3bn SunGard Financial Systems.

After running the West of England LEP, Paul set up the multi-award-winning Bristol Is Open smart city project in 2014 and created the widely endorsed City as a Platform Manifesto a couple of years later. He went on to advise the UK Government on the design of its 5G Testbeds & Trials programme, and more recently on how the programme should evolve. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab.

About Nate Echeverria

Nathaniel Echeverria, AICP is the Resilience Finance Lead and North America Engagement Lead with Resilient Cities Network. Prior to Resilient Cities Network, he has worked in economic development and place-based management in California, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.