Enhancing Resilience in Mountain Communities

At the heart of KURP is an inclusive and coordinated governance model that facilitates effective decision-making and long-term planning. The establishment of a Steering Committee and Advisory Committee brought together representatives from national, oblast, and local governments, alongside civil society and international partners. This participatory structure ensured alignment between institutional priorities, secured high-level political backing, and helped Khorog gain recognition on platforms such as the UNECE Forum of Mayors. Through this collaborative governance framework, KURP laid a strong foundation for both implementation and future investment.

One of the most visible impacts of KURP has been its transformation of key urban infrastructure to address safety, environmental, and social needs. The seismic and energy-efficient rehabilitation of the Khorog Youth Centre exemplifies resilient construction adapted to local conditions. The Bizmich slope stabilisation initiative through eco-engineering will help protect vital access routes while simultaneously generating local employment. Other initiatives focused on advancing the town’s “Green City” agenda, such as the rehabilitation of irrigation channels and the installation of a solar-assisted sewage system in the Sharifobod mahalla, an underserved area historically exposed to sanitation risks. These projects not only address pressing vulnerabilities but also incorporate innovative, climate-smart technologies that set a standard for future infrastructure development.

Community engagement has been central to the programme’s success, fostering a strong sense of local ownership and resilience. Across all 21 mahallas of Khorog, residents actively identified and implemented over 100 community-driven micro-projects aimed at improving daily life and adapting to climate-related challenges. These initiatives ranged from street lighting and clean water access to sewage connections, slope pathway repairs, and the rehabilitation of playgrounds and irrigation ditches. With technical guidance and material support from the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, and close coordination with the Mayor’s Office, community members played a leading role in execution, demonstrating how grassroots mobilisation can drive tangible urban improvements and contribute to broader climate adaptation goals.

KURP also invested significantly in building human capital, recognising that resilient infrastructure must be paired with capable institutions and a skilled workforce. In collaboration with the University of Central Asia and the Ministry of Labour, the program trained 40 individuals, many from economically vulnerable households affected by COVID-19, in essential trades such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. Complementary to these vocational efforts, local government officials participated in tailored training on climate change, emergency management, and urban planning, delivered by the Academy of Public Administration and Khorog State University.

To strengthen evidence-based planning, the programme expanded the Open Centres network for spatial data management in key institutions, including the Governor’s Office and the National Academy of Sciences. Staff have been trained to operate the new Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Centres, which consolidate hazard, land use, and demographic data to inform emergency response and climate-resilient investments. A City Resilience Profile, developed in collaboration with UN-Habitat, and AKAH’s integrated habitat assessments provided a comprehensive evidence base to guide development.

In addressing water security and environmental sustainability, KURP introduced several groundbreaking initiatives. The installation of solar-powered vertical wells, a first for Tajikistan and Central Asia, significantly improved drinking water access in areas like Tabobatkhona mahalla, while promoting energy efficiency. Three additional wells were rehabilitated in underserved areas, benefitting more than 600 households. Simultaneously, the rehabilitation of key reservoirs, including Siyob, Khufak, and Boghevdara restored critical infrastructure that ensures a consistent water supply. These efforts not only advanced environmental sustainability but also generated employment and enhanced the capacity of municipal services to manage essential systems.

Long-term resilience planning was further reinforced through the revision of Khorog’s City Master Plan, a collaborative effort involving AKAH, the Khorog Mayor’s Office, and national agencies such as JSC “Shahrofar” and the Committee on Architecture and Construction. Grounded in extensive studies and consultations, and incorporating recommendations from UN-Habitat, the revised plan focuses on inclusive public spaces, risk-sensitive infrastructure, and climate adaptation. Approved by the GBAO Assembly of People’s Deputies in December 2024, the plan represents a strategic shift toward sustainable, risk-informed urban growth.

To address social vulnerability and climate adaptation, the program supported the creation of LLC “Simin Sokhtmon,” training 125 low-income families in gabion box weaving and providing them with tools and permanent employment. Since 2023, a youth-led enterprise has produced over 20,000 gabion boxes for use in disaster mitigation and construction projects, employing 110 individuals. Additionally, KURP supports private sector growth by helping launch new small businesses, including a waste recycling initiative to improve local sanitation and generate sustainable employment. The "PomirInvest-2023" forum, co-organised by national and local authorities, attracted investors and promoted tourism and infrastructure development in GBAO.

The enhancement of digital infrastructure and emergency preparedness was another important dimension of the program. In both GBAO and Dushanbe, SDI Centres were equipped with real-time hazard monitoring and early warning systems, strengthening the region’s readiness for climate-induced disasters. Additionally, the Khorog Mayor’s Office launched a redesigned official website, khorugh.tj offering transparent updates, interactive public feedback tools, and a platform for local services and announcements, enhancing civic engagement and access to information.

The Khorog Urban Resilience Program offers more than just a roadmap for a single town; it represents a replicable model for resilience in mountainous communities facing the combined pressures of climate change, economic transition, and geographic isolation. By integrating infrastructure upgrades, inclusive governance, community-driven action, and evidence-based planning, KURP has demonstrated that even the most remote and vulnerable urban areas can become hubs of innovation and sustainability. As Central Asia continues to urbanise, with university towns emerging as engines of regional development, the lessons from Khorog are particularly timely. Investing in resilience is not only a safeguard against future shocks, it is a pathway to unlocking human potential, strengthening local institutions, and fostering long-term economic and social stability. Programs like KURP are critical to ensuring that mountain towns do not merely survive in the face of climate and development challenges, but thrive as models of adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking urban development.

Over the last three years, the attraction of additional funds to Khorog’s resilience had been channelled through the support of AKAH in securing grants such as the European Commission’s funded project for the Municipality and the additional co-contribution from AKDN to support the city’s development.