Sustainable Economic Corridors and Urban Resilience Project

About this project

The project aims to transform how Tongatapu—Tonga's largest and most populated island—grows in the face of escalating coastal flooding, cyclones, and tsunami risks. It will guide urban expansion away from hazard-prone zones through climate- and disaster-resilient spatial planning and governance reforms while strengthening institutional capacity for long-term risk management. A new climate-resilient 720-meter bridge and 2.1 kilometers (km) of approach roads will provide safe year-round connectivity, enable emergency evacuation, and open pathways for future urban relocation to less exposed areas. At the same time, 7.3 km of upgraded drainage and measures to improve water security and reduce physical losses in target areas will reduce flooding and safeguard communities as relocation strategies take shape. Together, these innovations will protect vulnerable populations, secure critical lifelines and economic corridors, and anchor a shift toward sustainable, climate-informed development on Tonga's main island.

Published by

World Bank · Multilateral

Countries

Tonga

Sectors

Transport policy, planning and administrationMulti-hazard response preparedness

Places

Nuku'alofa

Funded by

International Development Association

Implemented by

Ministry of Infrastructure

Accountable

Kingdom of Tonga

Passes funds through

International Development Association

Published by World Bank to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 3 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: 44000-P512750.

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