Built Environment Experts Push for Climate-Resilient Cities


Built environment professionals and stakeholders have called for a shift from reactive approaches to deliberate planning and development of resilient cities and communities.

Speaking at the Architectural Association of Kenya Convention in Diani on behalf of Principal Secretary for Housing Charles M. Hinga, Acting Housing Secretary QS Cassius Kusienya, MBS, said Kenya’s rapidly growing towns are facing increasing pressure from climate change, inadequate infrastructure and unplanned development.

Mr.Hinga said climate stress is already evident through flooding, failed drainage systems, rising temperatures, saline water sources, damaged roads and settlements located in vulnerable areas.
On his part, Architects Chapter of Kenya President George A. Ndege said professionals must move beyond reacting to vulnerability and instead focus on designing, planning and building communities capable of adapting to future challenges.

Mr.Hinga said financing remains a major challenge, noting that the Affordable Housing Levy alone cannot sustain the government’s target of delivering 200,000 to 250,000 low-cost houses annually.
"Those figures describe different cuts of the same effort: units contracted and under construction; units at advanced site stage; and units entering procurement. What they share is direction. Housing is no longer a pilot in a handful of estates. It is a programme with a national footprint",he said.

#Diani #Architects #BuiltProfessionals

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