The effects of climate change on informal settlements

Abstract

Informal settlements have played a significant role in providing the urban poor with access to shelter and close proximity to the economic opportunities in the large urban centres. However, most of the climate-vulnerable communities live in informal settlements. The impacts of climate change have been particularly devastating, and further exacerbate the existing inequalities and lower socio-economic conditions. This commentary, submitted to the Special Edition on ‘Re-imaginaries of just, equitable and efficient future human settlements’, provides an overview of the effects of climate change, particularly in informal settlements