Inclusive Systems Mapping: Integrating Marginalized Resident Voices into a Co-Creative Urban Resilience Planning Approach

Urban resilience has become a central theme in addressing the complex challenges faced by rapidly growing cities. The Asia Resilient Cities (ARC) Project aims to foster resilience through a co-creation approach that combines participatory systems mapping (PSM) and community engagement. This paper outlines ARC’s methodology, which integrates diverse stakeholder perspectives, including marginalized groups, into urban resilience planning in four cities: Rajkot, India; Khulna, Bangladesh; Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The paper discusses how ARC adapted lessons from previous projects, emphasizing early and meaningful resident involvement to shape work plans that reflect the lived realities of city residents. Initial results highlight both the strengths and learnings from integrating resident feedback into resilience strategies, demonstrating how co-creation can align technical expertise with local context to create more inclusive, actionable plans. Key themes include the role of systems thinking, multistakeholder participation, and adaptive learning in urban planning. The findings underscore the need for contextualized, collaborative approaches to address the “wicked problems” inherent in urban development and resilience building.