Building Inclusive and Resilient Cities for the Urban Poor to Withstand Natural Disasters and the Effects of Climate Change

With the involvement of international organisations and government programmes, local peoples’ contribution in the construction process after a natural disaster can often be side-lined. However, the chances of long-term sustainability of any intervention are increased if local people own the process and end products and embed them in local institutions. In order to establish a successful recovery programme, affected people and communities should be at the centre of the construction process. This approach showcases how urban communities can become aware of their responsibility and fulfil it, while at the same time, the city development and civil society mechanism can be successfully involved to develop inclusive and resilient cities.
This Side Event will discuss how effective and creative planning of reconstruction, positive development and asset creation can emerge from natural disasters. It will also look at the importance of investment in low income housing at the bottom of the pyramid to deliver decent, affordable and disaster resistant housing and basic services solutions for the urban poor, prior to a natural disaster occurring.
Communities can be supported to take advantage of opportunities and plan against future vulnerability, and emerge stronger and more resilient than before. The basis for large scale intervention will be formed only through broad based stakeholder coalitions which include local communities.
The session will discuss actual case studies from the leaders of organisations in Nepal and the Philippines, representing the Reall Network, to demonstrate how resilient affordable housing for the urban poor can be provided in contexts where the effects of climate change are all too prevalent, and such solutions are vital to ensure low income communities are less vulnerable to natural disasters.
Special guests from Practical Action and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency will also feature on the panel to offer their expertise in Disaster Risk Reduction and project financing.