Urban centers that are hubs of economic and social development activities are also hotspots of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the other hand, concentration of human activity and the man-made environment render them highly vulnerable to anomalies in climate with serious repercussions on human lives and economic properties. The urban sector is a key area that needs policy attention in regard to climate change. However, there are significant gaps in urban planning policy, climate change policy, and disaster risk management policy in mainstreaming climate change into urban planning. The study examines the evolving relationship between climate change and urban development in Sri Lanka with the aim of identifying a suitable framework to incorporate climate change issues into urban planning policy of the country. The study approach includes reviewing policies, assessing the gaps, and identifying provisions and measures. The study also provides general recommendations for mainstreaming climate change and area specific recommendations for mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk management.
