Cities are pivotal hubs for the world’s population, economic activity, and cultural exchange, yet their advantages – such as density and interconnectedness – can be sources of vulnerability to crises ranging from natural disasters to economic shocks and pandemics. This report draws lessons from recent crises to provide a strategic framework for urban policymakers to bolster resilience against future shocks, including by promoting sustainability and driving inclusive growth. The report underscores the importance of resilience for cities to absorb, recover from, and adjust positively to shocks while adapting to long-term transitions. It presents nine lessons for rethinking urban policies, drawn from the experiences of recent crises and a compass for future-proof cities and urban policy through greater resilience, proximity, sufficiency, and justice. The report concludes by emphasising the importance of managing trade-offs and maximising synergies in urban policy to navigate the complexities of modern urban life by finding areas of mutual benefit between policy objectives such as economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity. City leaders are encouraged to work together with national governments, as advocated by the OECD Principles on Urban Policy, and to leverage foresight and new disciplines for strategic decision-making to ensure a bright, more resilient future for their residents.