^{28 January 2026}

In exciting news, the RISE program is a finalist in the World Resources Institute (WRI) Ross Centre Prize for Cities, one of the most respected international honours in the field of urban sustainability. The Prize recognises pioneering projects that are reshaping urban life and offering practical, transferable lessons for cities worldwide.

Global recognition in a highly competitive field

RISE is one of just five finalists, selected from 334 submissions across 230 cities in 77 countries.  Guided by the theme Catalyzing Healthy Cities, the 2025–2026 Prize highlights initiatives that improve access to nature, mobility and essential everyday services.

Watch the announcement.

Showcasing RISE

RISE is now on an international stage, sharing with global leaders in urban sustainability:

• our innovative program that integrates nature-based, water-sensitive infrastructure, such as wetlands and drainage, into existing settlements to reduce exposure to waterborne disease and flooding
• our participatory design approach to ensure infrastructure aligns with the realities of life for communities, earning support from residents and local governing authorities
• our transdisciplinary model of rigorously assessing the impacts of the upgrades on the health of the community and the health of the environment

Jen Shin, Global Lead for the Prize, emphasised in announcing all five finalists, this year’s projects demonstrate what happens when cities translate urgent challenges into practical action - grounded in local needs and delivering impact.

At an individual level, the Prize acknowledged the impact and potential of RISE settlements in Makassar and Fiji to improve the lives of residents in urban informal settlements.

RISE Program Director, Professor Diego Ramirez-Lovering adds: “This nomination is recognition that the work happening with RISE communities has global significance. It highlights the power of community-led, evidence-based approaches to drive healthier, more resilient cities - especially for the people and environments that need it most -  as we confront growing climate and health challenges together.”

RISE Director of Research (Assessment), Professor Karin Leder, agrees: “This nomination recognises the importance of generating robust, real‑world evidence to guide healthier urban futures. By rigorously measuring environmental and health outcomes, we can evaluate the impact of water-sensitive, community-led solutions on people’s daily lives. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the hard work of our partner communities and teams acknowledged on a global stage.”

What’s next?

The Prize team will soon distribute a short video profiling completed upgrades in Makassar, which we will distribute via our LinkedIn page.  The grand prize winner will be announced in New York in April.

Thank You

We want to thank everyone who has supported RISE -  our funders, teams in Makassar and Fiji, partners, supporters and community - for helping make this recognition possible. Stay tuned for updates as we head toward the awards ceremony!

_{*Photos courtesy of WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities}