sustainable construction and the urban poor

Cover of a position paper titled "Can the Urban Poor Afford Sustainable Construction?" with an image of a dense informal settlement by a water body.
Image shows a contents page from a document on sustainability in informal settlements and features a photo of a smiling woman and child.
Page discussing sustainable construction in informal settlements with recommendations on affordability, environmental sustainability, desirability, scalability, and inclusivity. Includes research gaps on circular construction practices, ecosystems, and sustainable contexts.
Page discussing sustainable construction with text in a light blue box, and a photo of an urban area at dusk.

An ongoing collaborative effort with a multi-stakeholder working group convened by Cities Alliance, this initiative explores how sustainable construction practices can be integrated into informal urban areas. Meeting monthly, the group developed a position paper addressing key challenges and opportunities for sustainable, affordable, and locally driven building solutions.

The paper was presented at COP28 and featured by the World Economic Forum, contributing to global discussions on urban resilience, equitable development, and climate-conscious construction in rapidly growing cities. By bridging policy, practice, and community-driven approaches, this work provides a strategic foundation for future initiatives in sustainable urban development.

The Working Group:
Cities Alliance(UNOPS),ORG, Holcim, Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ GmbH), Habitat for Humanity International,IIED,UNEP, ICLEI,SPARC, Slum Dwellers International(SDI Zambia, Namibia,Zimbabwe), Government of South Africa, Build Change

Contribution:
Working group collaboration and Position Paper