The multitude of complex urban systems, combined with the autonomous of structuring technical systems (hard-wired telecommunications networks, radio, television, mobile communications, rail and other transport networks, water and waste water networks, energy networks, etc.), together with the numerous territorial service organisation and governance levels (city, grouped cities, departmental, regional, state and European levels), induce major malfunctions when problems are encountered. The numerous interactions between these various systems further increase global fragility, even where this multiplicity could be put to good use to transform it into redundancy and the development of interoperability. Any such malfunction is increasingly rejected by urban populations, numerous as they are and widely differing in social and cultural terms, stressed by their day to day environment and fre-quently requiring and expressing substantial expectations in regard to this environment from both the technical, social and human points of view. Globally, the urban system, in common with each of the individual systems on which it is based, is potentially vulnerable to the hazards associated with climate change, natural and technological risks or malevolent acts. These hazards are not new in themselves, but what is new is their frequency and intensity. Despite their different causes, the consequences of these events, in particular in regard to a return to a balanced situation regarded as equivalent to the preceding situation, are of the same nature (interrupted service, destruction, etc.) which is why they can be integrated in the same approach. The main objective of the RESILIS project will consequently be to propose ways and means for reducing the vulnerability of the system and facilitating the recommencement and continuity of activities. Using a long-term oriented systemic approach, we shall firstly be seeking both organisational and methodological responses with the aim of 1) creating synergetic governance of all levels; 2) adopting long-term, responsible management of the networks; 3) devising new design rules for technological tools and 4) and obtaining, by information and suitably adapted awareness enhancement, a positive contribution from populations and the economic players. Importance will also be attached to the predictability angle as, at the current time, predictability levels for systems in the event of a hazardous situation are extremely low, and correct anticipation of the reactions of complex systems is extremely difficult. It will consequently be necessary to extend our knowledge of both threats, initiator effects and weak signals. We shall take the human dimension into account as, through its imagination, adaptability and will to win, mankind can, provided the objectives are clear, overcome certain inadequacies of generic direc-tives and on occasions excessively complex engineering. The consortium set up for the RESILIS project, associating three leading French engineering entities engaged in substantial activities at international level, and research centres of repute both in France and other countries, has brought together the skills and expertise required to establish answers to questions emanating from the project call. This will lead to establishment of the foundations for urban resilience engineering designed to support the decision makers, economic players and populations in the development of genuine urban resilience.