Habitats on the edge - Securing climate resilient homes for informal settlements

Mike Henderson

Moderator

November 6, 2024 | 11:00 - 12:30

SDGs in Action - room B

Arup

United Kingdom

English

Reference:

SDG-B 7

WUF12

SDGs in Action

Summary

Formal settlements have witnessed advancements in construction standards, aiming to enhance safety, quality, and adaptability to climate change. However, the situation is quite different for informal settlements. In these areas, the lack of such improvements is further compounded by the escalating effects of climate change. As urbanisation continues and informal settlements burgeon, the need for effective housing solutions becomes increasingly urgent.

“We must find viable ways to provide appropriate homes for vulnerable communities, bridging the gap between formal and informal living conditions” Roof Over Our Heads, Delivering resilient, affordable, low carbon homes for 2bn people by 2050

This event will be a collaborative effort between Roof Over Our Heads (ROOH), Habitat for Humanity, the City of Johannesburg and Arup. The collaborative discussion aims to share sustainable informal housing innovations, align strategic resources, and drive impactful change in urban environments worldwide, enhancing community empowerment and environmental sustainability. At the heart of our event proposal is the drive to equip informal communities with access to materials and techniques that are not only robust and affordable but also improve energy efficiency and adaptability to changing weather conditions.

Inspired by and in collaboration with the Roof Over Our Heads campaign, this event will focus on enhancing resilience in housing across varied climates and communities. Arup has recently contributed the ROOH campaign to improve the Rasulabad Informal Settlement in Surat, India, empowering residents to design and enhance their homes with affordable, climate-resilient construction technologies. Habitat for Humanity is actively addressing health risks associated with poor housing and climate change, particularly in regions facing significant threats from vector-borne diseases. Their interventions include vector-proofing, improving indoor environments through passive design, and fostering user-centred housing solutions. Ye... a MDB resilience. [City representative} will share their experience on the ground in [city].

This event represents a unique opportunity for professionals, experts, and enthusiasts in the field of urban development, climate change resilience, and housing to come together, share insights, and foster partnerships that will drive forward our collective vision for sustainable and inclusive urban futures. Together, we can turn the tide for informal settlement dwellers worldwide, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in the face of climate adversity.

The Government of South Africa will showcase the contribution of the City’s Informal Settlement Upgrading Policy and Land Use Management Scheme of 2018 in facilitating the process of incremental upgrading of informal settlements in the City of Johannesburg.

Objectives

1. Strengthen collaborative networks: Foster strong partnerships and collaborative efforts among local communities, international development organisations, multilateral development banks, policy makers, and industry experts to support the implementation of climate resilient housing projects.
2. Enhance community resilience: Equip informal settlement residents with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to design, build, and maintain homes that are resilient to climate change and extreme weather events.
3. Explore innovative funding mechanisms: Discuss ways that communities, private equity, development funding and cities can partner to secure affordable, appropriate housing.
4. Advocate for policy support: Advocate for supportive policies and frameworks that facilitate access to better housing materials and technologies for informal settlements, aiming to narrow the gap in living standards between formal and informal communities.
5. Showcase success stories: Share successful case studies and experiences from around the world, including the support extended to the Rasulabad Informal Settlement in Surat, India, to inspire action and replication in other vulnerable communities.