Chapter 5 links ideas of urban social sustainability to the theoretical concept of community resilience. This concept’s origins in socio-ecological systems theory and trauma psychology are acknowledged, and the authors’ chosen definition is presented with applications of social resilience thinking. The related concept of adaptive capacity is described – also part of the book’s core argument. These two concepts are contextualised in natural disasters, along with the meaning of vulnerability. A description is offered of how place-based resilience works when underpinned by adequate community social resources such as social capital and cohesion. This is explained as a process rather than a set of static conditions, and the need to replenish such resources is stated.

The chapter takes a practical turn to explore the context of environmental adversities and resilience in urban communities with reference to cities in Chile and the USA. Examples are outlined of how city spaces and the pro-community behaviours that they supported became essential for resilience building. Principles for resilience strengthening through community development are stated. Finally, the book’s key framework on pro-community behaviours at neighbourhood level that support community resilience is described, and how these compare to, and overlap with the social sustainable behaviours set out in Chapter 4.