A high-level overview of the Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA). The Mukuru approach has taught us that improving climate resilience in informal settlements requires the urgent coordination of several key strategies. National and city leaders should take up this approach to building climate resilience and upgrading informal settlements. Key concepts include: the promise of and need for upgrading as a climate resilience strategy in rapidly urbanizing Africa; the need to put communities at the center of planning; and the crucial role of local governments and locally-led action for upgrading and resilience.