An assessment of the RDP settlements vulnerability to impacts of climate change : a case study of Umlazi Y section, south of Durban.

Abstract

Prominences of environmental issues such as climate change have increased the need to achieve environmentally sustainable housing developments. Although effects of climate change are experienced at a global scale, vulnerability of a system is determined by scale and context. The objective of this research study is to understand how RDP dwellings are vulnerable to impacts of climate change and identify climate responsive housing consolidation methods which households can apply to improve the adaptability of RDP settlements. A case study was selected purposively. An Interview was conducted with a housing official and household surveys were conducted from the case study. Research findings indicate that RDP dwellings are vulnerable to impacts of climate change. The following factors contributed to the vulnerability of RDP settlements: lack of information on climate change, lack of resources and housing typology. At a policy level, it was discovered that issues of climate change have not yet been mainstreamed into housing policy. The research therefore, recommends that efforts are made to mainstream issues of climate change into housing policy and that measures are undertaken to strengthen the adaptive capacity of households.