Completion Date
Spring 4-13-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Program or Discipline Name
Project Management
First Advisor
Dr. Tedd Wheeler
Second Advisor
Dr. John Clark
Third Advisor
Dr. Sarah Dyson
Abstract
Urban resilience initiatives are central to climate adaptation, yet cities continue to face persistent implementation challenges related to governance, financing, and project management. This study examines how these three dimensions influence the effectiveness of resilience initiatives using a qualitative comparative case study design across five cities: New York City, Miami, Rotterdam, Venice, and Tokyo. The analysis is based on eleven semi-structured interviews with practitioners across four cities, complemented by document analysis.
The findings show that resilience initiatives are shaped by the interaction of governance coordination, financing structures, and project management practices. Governance systems are complex and fragmented, financing is often unstable and distributed across multiple sources, and project management practices are typically adaptive rather than standardized. While alignment among these dimensions improves implementation outcomes, it is not sufficient on its own.
The study finds that resilience initiatives are most effective when these dimensions are not only aligned, but also integrated into existing institutional processes and project lifecycles. Where resilience is introduced as an external or late-stage requirement, implementation is more likely to face delays and inefficiencies. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of both alignment and process-level integration in bridging the gap between resilience planning and implementation.
Recommended Citation
Viola, M. (2026). Project Management for Urban Resilience: A Comparative Study of Governance, Financing, and Risk Reduction Strategies in New York City, Miami, Rotterdam, Venice, and Tokyo. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.harrisburgu.edu/dandt/95