Urban climate adaptation measures are frequently understood to require large-scale infrastructure investments. But these may not be feasible in low-income developing countries, where urban populations are growing most rapidly. Yet poor urban populations, especially in rapidly expanding peri-urban areas, may be most vulnerable to climate hazards such as flooding, sea level rise, and extreme storms because their population density is increasing more rapidly than infrastructure investment. This paper describes an experimental approach to riverbank erosion control in Can Tho, Vietnam, which involves an alternative mechanism for funding, building and maintaining infrastructure for riverbank stabilization and erosion control. Our paper describes the approaches for co-management model and discusses key lessons for replication in other cities. Keywords: Disaster Risk Reduction/Hazard Management; Shared Learning Processes; Social Vulnerability; Water Management