“Climate resilience is not a theory. It’s a street, a sewer, a rooftop — reimagined to protect human life.”
- It’s about flooded markets.
- Children walking through sewage.
- Homes collapsing under storms.
And it’s also about hope — that even the most fragile cities can bounce back stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.
From the earthquake zones of Nepal to the floodplains of Vietnam, from dusty Indian towns to storm-battered African coasts, Olga is quietly reshaping the future of cities, one vulnerable neighbourhood at a time.
From Economics to Urban Resilience
Originally trained in development economics and international policy, Olga worked with institutions like the
Asian Development Bank,
UNESCAP, and
OECD, before founding her own initiative — the
Urban Resilience Hub.
“Don’t wait for disaster to adapt. Design for resilience — before the crisis hits.”
She began working directly with city governments, architects, engineers, and communities to help them future-proof their infrastructure — not through billion-dollar megaprojects, but through smart, context-specific, local solutions.
Her Projects Have Redefined Urban Survival
- Helped redesign stormwater systems in coastal cities to handle rising sea levels
- Introduced nature-based solutions like mangrove buffers and rooftop gardens
- Created community climate labs in low-income districts
- Integrated passive cooling techniques into affordable housing
- Advocated decentralised water management, solar energy, and sustainable transport in Asian and African cities
Whether it’s urban heat islands in India or typhoon-prone settlements in the Philippines, Olga sees every climate threat as a design opportunity — not just for survival, but for dignity.
Global Impact
- Founder of Urban Resilience Hub, a platform advising cities on adaptive urban planning
- Led resilience audits for over 30 cities across Asia and Africa
- Collaborated with national governments, UN bodies, and multilateral banks
- Published in Urbanet, Asian Development Review, and Cities Today
- Recognized as a global thought leader in inclusive climate adaptation
“When a local official says, ‘Now I know how to protect my people’ — that’s the real success.”
Her Words
“Resilience is not just about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward — better, safer, and fairer.”
“We cannot solve climate change without solving for inequality in our cities.”
“Every resilient city is a human rights project in disguise.”
Why She’s a Human of Change
- Because she doesn’t just work with cities — she listens to them
- Because she reminds us that urban planning is not policy — it’s people
- Because she’s proving that climate justice begins at the level of the street, not the summit
Olga Chepelianskaia is not chasing headlines.
She is chasing climate stability, social inclusion, and urban dignity — for millions.
In a century defined by climate chaos, she is quietly building cities that can survive — and societies that deserve to.
