This report presents a framework, the Urban Risk Assessment (URA), for assessing disaster and climate risk in cities. It is intended to assist in decision making, urban planning, and designing risk management programs.

This report is part of a larger World Bank effort that seeks to provide analytical and strategic assistance to Bank staff and utilities in client countries as they begin to consider the implications of climate change on water resources.

This report focuses on water and water-related issues and investments, with a particular focus on reducing the vulnerability of water sector investments to the impacts of climate change. It provides a first version of a tool that can be used to assess exposure and screen the investment portfolio on a regional basis.

The primary objective of this report is to provide practical guidance to World Bank teams advising on the design and implementation of reforms of urban water supply and sanitation (WSS) sectors. The reform of urban WSS sectors is needed to increase access to the infrastructure, improve efficiency of operations, and enhance the reliability, sustainability and affordability of the service.

This Sourcebook is part of a broader program of work on governance and corruption in the water supply and sanitation sector. The Sourcebook is meant as a resource to assist water and sanitation sector practitioners to assess the extent and risks of corruption in the sector and to improve governance in ways that reduce corruption.