Resilient Austin Playbook

The Problem

Austin’s uniqueness and innovative energy have fueled rapid population and economic growth, bringing opportunity and vitality. Yet, this period of growth and change also brings significant challenges. While growth has generated prosperity for some, many longtime residents are being left behind, intensifying pressures around affordability and economic mobility. At the same time, Austin must adapt to the growing threats posed by climate change. More frequent and disruptive severe weather events, such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire, and winter storms, that are placing increasing strain on our infrastructure, public systems, and communities that already face the greatest barriers.

Intended Outcomes

The Resilient Austin Playbook prioritizes the key goals and actions needed to harness Austin’s strengths, confront our most pressing risks, and better prepare for an uncertain future. The Resilient Austin Playbook serves as a practical implementation roadmap and an accountability tool. In addition to advancing key actions, Austin Climate Action and Resilience will track progress over time so that priorities translate into visible results for residents and partners.

Our Work Streams

• The Resilient Austin Playbook, built with departments across the city.
• Standing delivery teams for two flagship projects.
• Accelerating implementation of resilient infrastructure and programming
• Improved Governance and Accountability Across City Departments

Define and align priorities

In January 2023, the City kicked off its resilience planning process in partnership with Resilient Cities Catalyst. That work included community engagement sessions, an analysis of existing Austin plans, and a shocks and stresses analysis. It led to the release of One Austin | Our Resilience Framework for Action which set the frame: advancing racial equity, addressing climate change, and increasing affordability. RCC convened departments across the city, from housing and parks to transport and emergency management, to identify shared climate priorities, engaging 145 people through the process.

Design and launch implementable solutions

With priorities in place, the City moved toward specific solutions. The Heat Resilience Playbook, released in May 2024, set out steps to address one of Austin’s most pressing risks. In January 2025, the City launched a climate resilience action prioritization process that reviewed past plans, identified gaps, and ranked actions. This work came together in the Resilience Playbook, released in February 2026.

Identify and activate resources

The Resilience Playbook, released in February 2026, also works as an accountability tool. It tracks progress and keeps priorities tied to results. Annual reporting provides regular updates on status, milestones, barriers, and next steps. This transparency helps the City correct course when needed and direct resources to the work with the greatest impact.

Forge new models of collaboration

The Playbook itself serves as a tool to catalyze cross-departmental implementation. A smaller group of 10 to 12 priority projects, that involve several departments, receives closer, ongoing support to help them move faster.

Key Findings

Both flagship projects have moved from scoping into active delivery. Concentrating on a small number of flagships, rather than a longer action list, has helped departments commit staff time.

Outcomes Recap

One playbook governing how the city sequences resilience work, accelerating implementation of resilience projects while breaking down silos across government.