Enhancing Climate Resilience in Malaysian Cities: Barriers and Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development in Malaysia

Abstract As climate change intensifies, Malaysian cities face increasing risks from floods, extreme rainfall, heatwaves, and droughts, threatening communities, infrastructure, and economic development. This study examines the barriers and strategies for enhancing urban climate resilience using a mixed-methods approach, including a survey of 101 city stakeholders and ten expert interviews. Findings reveal major institutional, financial, and technical challenges, including fragmented governance, policy gaps, limited public awareness, insufficient investment, and inadequate technical capacity. Experts advocate integrated strategies: operationalizing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), enforcing climate policies, scaling up investments, strengthening infrastructure, promoting public–private partnerships, and building technical and community capacity. These measures aim to shift adaptation from reactive and fragmented to proactive and systemic, supporting the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), and SDGs 9, 11, and 13. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners, enhancing understanding of key drivers of climate resilience and guiding sustainable urban development in Malaysia.