In the face of escalating climate change, the global community stands at a critical juncture. As we approach the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, the urgency of addressing climate resilience in urban housing has never been more apparent. The theme “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities” resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face in creating climate-resilient housing worldwide.
The urban housing crisis
Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s a shared reality affecting millions worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. As extreme weather events intensify and sea levels rise, housing—one of our infrastructure’s most vulnerable yet overlooked aspects—is increasingly at risk. Homes that once provided shelter and security are now at the frontlines of floods, storms, and other climate-related disasters.
The challenge before us is immense: How do we protect communities and safeguard livelihoods in this escalating crisis? More importantly, how do we ensure that our solutions are not just reactive, but proactively building resilience for the future?
The power of community-led solutions
At Miyamoto International, we believe that the answer lies in local action and innovation. Miyamoto’s Climate-Resilient Housing and Communities Innovations initiative, in support of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), showcases the WUF12 call for local actions that drive sustainable urban development.
This global effort aims to crowdsource and showcase innovative, affordable methods for enhancing housing resilience against climate impacts. By bringing together a coalition of over 20 organizations and extending its reach to more than 15 countries, we’re fostering a global movement towards climate-resilient housing that starts at the community level.
“What excites me most about this global repository is how it’s breaking down barriers to climate resilience. By democratizing access to these innovations and empowering communities to shape their own resilience strategies, we’re not just building stronger houses and communities – we’re paving the way for transformative change. We’re seeing incredible solutions emerge when we combine nature-based approaches with local knowledge and community leadership. By acknowledging vernacular and indigenous wisdom and adopting multi-scalar and multi-hazard approaches that respond to local contexts, we’re showcasing solutions that can be both adapted and replicated. This is about making climate resilience accessible, actionable, and deeply rooted in community knowledge” said Associate Principal, Adriana Navarro-Sertich.
A Call to Action: Join the movement for resilient cities
As we look towards WUF12 and beyond, we invite governments, civil society, the private sector, and all stakeholders to join us in this crucial endeavor. Together, we can transform the challenge of climate change into an opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable urban development.
The path to resilient cities starts at home, with local actions that ripple out to create global change. By investing in climate-resilient housing today, we’re not just protecting buildings—we’re safeguarding communities, preserving livelihoods, and building a more sustainable urban future for generations to come.
Submit your innovation, share your expertise, and be part of the coalition shaping the future of urban resilience. Together, we can turn the vision of sustainable, climate-resilient cities into a reality: innovate.miyamotointernational.com
Continue the conversation at WUF12
Miyamoto International and the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) is excited to present two key innovations at our upcoming panel discussion, in support of our organizations’ commitment towards the US Government’s PREPARE, which focuses on bolstering climate resilience globally, equipping communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, with the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
With a focus on developing countries, Miyamoto is proud to introduce the Guide for Climate Resilient Retrofits and a Living Repository. These resources are the result of a Climate Resilient Housing Solutions Challenge, aiming to significantly enhancing the resilience of housing and communities globally.