Contemporary urban environments are presently facing preponderant challenges related to urbanization trends, which often result in urban vulnerability, with particular concerning expression in developing countries. Thus, there is a need to integrate resilience in the resolution of urban challenges faced in architecture and urban planning. In addition, there is an increasing need for research on and building projects promoting resilience of urban spaces through vulnerability reduction, and reinforcement of resilience capabilities in urban environments. Japanese urban history is marked with the occurrence of numerous natural disasters, and presents a mature experience in disaster risk management, with remarkable lessons for sustainable development towards urban resilience.