We hosted the latest chapter in our #citytalk tweetchat series earlier this week in collaboration with Oxfam UK's Asia Dialogue, and it was a great success. The discussion had over 100 participants and reached over 200,000 Twitter users, with different views and experiences shared as we discussed the issues surrounding our six questions.

We've gone through the discussion once again and selected some of the highlights. If you didn't get the chance to take part in our chat, here's the best bits:

What do you think makes a city resilient?

Is it the people? The infrastructure? The speed to recovery after challenges? What exactly makes a city resilient?

#CityTalk A1: A strong brand, connected citizens, green infrastructure and a plan for the future

— Adam Beck (@adambeck_pdx) July 17, 2013

A1: The people! They are the ones that do the heavy lifting, advocate for change and also see it through. #citytalk

— Kayla Jonas Galvin (@jonaskayla) July 17, 2013

A1 Resilient cities are able to shut down for one day and function as if nothing happened the next. #CityTalk

— Rouen Smit (@OSlOlSO) July 17, 2013

@futurecapetown @thisbigcity A1 Flexibility, ability to adapt and respond quickly. #CityTalk

— Jacqui Barhouch (@JacquiBarhouch) July 17, 2013

What are some of the ways to measure resilience in cities?

After discussing the features of a resilient city, we turned to measurement. What is the key information for understanding how resilient a city is?

A2 not only getting services back online quickly, but providing alternative services in the meantime #CityTalk

— Mitchel Loring (@MLLoring) July 17, 2013

A2 – Resilience can be measured by how quickly infrastructure returns to use. NYC's recent experience with subways a good ex. #citytalk

— Joe Peach (@thisbigcity) July 17, 2013

#CityTalk A2: #Brisbane 2011 floods – the number of community volunteers that helped clean up, also known as 'The Mud Army' #communityspirit

— Adam Beck (@adambeck_pdx) July 17, 2013

How can we build resilience in to the informal sectors and settlements of cities? Large scale infrastructural decisions can be made by local or national governments, but what about the informal side of cities? Every city has an informal sector, and many even have a significant proportion of their populations living in informal settlements. What does resilience mean in this context?

A3: The reality is that tough decisions need to be made, e.g. access roads & services involve some displacement #CityTalk — futurecapetown.com (@futurecapetown) July 17, 2013

Informal structures need to facilitate movement of people in/out of settlements as they migrate,evolve (see book Arrival City) #citytalk — chrissiy (@chrissiy) July 17, 2013

A3: equity in mobility and spaces enabling informal sector autonomy & growth #CityTalk — Rebecca Nelson (@Becs_Biti) July 17, 2013

How can communities become involved? Is resilience about big infrastructure decisions only? The infrastructure is critical, but people are the most important part of creating a resilient city. How exactly can communities be engaged to ensure resilience?

A4- @futurecapetown @thisbigcity proper community engagement is vital in creating the infrastructures. #CityTalk — Dele Adeyemo (@dele_adeyemo) July 17, 2013

Q4. Involvement should be brick by brick. Need 4 'joiners' at local, city,state &Nation level even 4 small projects &initiatives.#CityTalk — Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) July 17, 2013

#CityTalk A4: One of the best ways is dialogue. we're holding a meeting to link local mayors to housing, health, env, and transport experts — Asia Dialogue (@asiadialogue) July 17, 2013

What is the difference between resilience and sustainability?

Much of our discussion explored topics that are often discussed in the sustainability debate. So what exactly is the difference between resilience and sustainability?

Resilience short term…sustainability long term… @thisbigcity: [Q5] What is the difference between (more) http://t.co/trwfPvLbqS

— Tshegofatso (@Tshego_NT) July 17, 2013

A5 sustainability is constantly strived for while resilience is something that is always underlying, but hopefully seen rarely #citytalk

— Mitchel Loring (@MLLoring) July 17, 2013

A5: sustainability is broadly focused and encompasses social, economic & ecological development. Resilience is preservationist #CityTalk

— Rebecca Nelson (@Becs_Biti) July 17, 2013

What are some of the best-case examples of urban initiatives that build resilience?

After spending the first five questions discussing the issues surrounding urban resilience, our final question turned to best case examples. Which cities ar leading the way, and are the best examples even well known?

A6: I find this promising: Jointly: Peer-to-Peer Disaster Recovery & Resilience App http://t.co/S3bisq0diT #CityTalk

— Patrick Meier (@PatrickMeier) July 17, 2013

A6 #CityTalk We have seen great ICT initiatives in India that give people access to information in times of emergency

— Asia Dialogue (@asiadialogue) July 17, 2013

@thisbigcity @asiadialogue A6: Surat city in Gujarat was hit by plague in 1994 & now they have a robust solid waste management. #CityTalk

— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) July 17, 2013

A6: Perhaps some of the best case studies are unknown, because they involve everyday DIY/coping in informal settlements globally? #CityTalk

— futurecapetown.com (@futurecapetown) July 17, 2013

Image via doratagold