Abstract
In the context of increasing climate-related disasters, transformative resilience encompassing adaptation, innovation, and sustainability has emerged as a critical concept for strengthening community-level resilience. This systematic literature review (following PRISMA guidelines) synthesizes insights from 39 peer-reviewed studies (2016–2025) to assess how transformative resilience is conceptualized and measured. It aims to inform evidence-based strategies for strengthening community-level resilience to climate change. Findings indicate that adaptation strategies dominate the literature, often focusing on socio-ecological resilience and adaptive capacity indicators. However, recent studies increasingly advocate integrated frameworks that combine adaptation with innovation and sustainability to achieve transformative outcomes. Commonly used indicators include socio-ecological resilience metrics, social capital, and adaptive capacity, although their definitions and measurements vary widely across studies. Key knowledge gaps were identified: notably, standardized measurement tools for transformative resilience are lacking, and insufficient attention has been paid to governance and institutional transformation in resilience efforts. These gaps underscore the need for future research to develop standardized indicators and holistic frameworks that address multi-level governance and institutional change. The findings have implications for both research and policy, suggesting that evidence-based, cross-sectoral strategies are required to bolster community-level resilience in the face of climate change.
