The Rising Tide of Urban Vulnerability
Across Asia and the Pacific, the link between adequate housing and urban resilience is becoming increasingly clear. With nearly one-third of the region’s urban population – around 700 million people – residing in informal settlements, many located in hazard-prone areas, the require for proactive solutions is urgent. Unplanned development and weak land-use systems expose millions to climate hazards and disaster risks.
From Reactive Recovery to Proactive Resilience
Historically, housing has often been viewed as an outcome of urban development or disaster recovery, rather than a strategic investment in resilience. This approach is shifting, driven by a growing recognition that improving housing conditions generates broad development gains. Research indicates that large-scale upgrading of informal settlements could raise GDP per capita by up to 10 per cent and increase life expectancy by four percent.
The Role of Governments in Securing Resilient Housing
Governments are being urged to prioritize climate-resilient and adequate housing, embedding secure tenure, resilient housing, and informal settlement upgrading within broader urban development, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction strategies. Regulatory frameworks should support participatory, in-situ upgrading and community-led tenure solutions.
Private Sector Innovation in Affordable Housing
The private sector has a crucial role to play in scaling resilient housing solutions. Mobilizing blended finance – combining guarantees, concessional capital, and private investment – can support incremental home improvements, affordable rental supply, and climate-resilient retrofits. Prioritizing locally sourced, low-carbon materials and passive design solutions is similarly key.
Civil Society and Academia: Co-Producing Solutions
Civil society and academic institutions are essential for co-producing evidence and solutions with communities. This includes exploring nature-based approaches in informal settlements and ensuring policies reflect lived realities. They also play a vital role in holding institutions accountable to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 and climate justice by tracking progress and advocating for the most vulnerable.
The SDG Gap and the Urgency of Action
The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026 highlights a concerning trend: the region is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with 88 per cent of measurable targets projected to be missed by 2030. Accelerating progress on SDG Target 11.1 – access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and upgrading of informal settlements – is critical to reducing urban vulnerability.
Nepal’s Experience: A Case Study in Collaborative Response
Recent efforts in Panauti Municipality, Nepal, demonstrate a collaborative approach to building resilience. Following heavy rainfall in October 2024, UNICEF Nepal, through its implementing partner Civic Forum, facilitated the restoration of essential water supply systems. Hygiene materials were distributed to households affected by floods and landslides. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal and UNICEF representatives have been involved in reviewing the situation and discussing recovery efforts.
Regional Dialogue and Policy Shifts
Discussions at the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development in 2026 and statements at the eighty-first session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific have highlighted housing affordability, informal settlements, and climate-resilient housing as growing policy priorities.
Did you know?
Improving housing conditions could prevent more than 20 million illnesses, avert nearly 43 million incidents of gender-based violence, and avoid around 80,000 deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is SDG Target 11.1? SDG Target 11.1 calls for access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and the upgrading of informal settlements.
- Why are informal settlements particularly vulnerable? Informal settlements are often located in hazard-prone areas and characterized by substandard construction, overcrowding, and limited access to essential services.
- What role can the private sector play? The private sector can mobilize blended finance and prioritize sustainable building materials and designs.
The future of urban resilience in Asia and the Pacific hinges on addressing the challenges faced by those living in informal settlements. Aligning housing policy with climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive urban governance is essential for accelerating progress towards the SDGs and building a more resilient future.
Sanjeevani Singh is Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP; Enid Madarcos is Associate Director for Urban, Land and Policy, Habitat for Humanity International (Asia-Pacific)
IPS UN Bureau
© Inter Press Service (20260316093846) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service
