Urban Planning–Architecture Synergies for ClimateResilient Cities in Developing Countries

Rapid urbanisation in developing countries has intensified exposure to climate-related risks suchas flooding, heat stress, and infrastructure failure. This paper examines how the integration of urban planningstrategies and architectural innovations can enhance climate resilience in cities of the Global South. Using anarrative review of 47 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025, the paper synthesises evidenceon compact urban form, green infrastructure, climate-responsive design, low-carbon materials, and participatorygovernance. The findings indicate that planning-led interventions, such as land-use efficiency, ecosystem-basedadaptation, and sustainable mobility, are most effective when reinforced by architectural innovations, includingpassive cooling, vernacular-inspired design, and energy-efficient building systems. However, persistentchallenges, including weak policy enforcement, limited institutional capacity, inadequate financing, and exclusionof informal settlements, constrain large-scale implementation. The paper argues that climate resilience cannot beachieved through isolated disciplinary approaches but requires coordinated planning–design frameworks tailoredto local socio-economic and environmental contexts. By bridging urban planning and architectural perspectives,this study contributes actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking scalablepathways toward resilient and sustainable cities in developing countries.