Engaging with communities in the Global South to address climate change

Designing the built environment with sustainability and resilience is essential to address the increasing challenges of climate-related disasters, particularly in vulnerable regions. This research initiative aims to reconcile climate resilience with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, restore biodiversity, and strengthen social cohesion. Through interdisciplinary and participatory approaches, it focuses on risks related to coastal socioecological systems, critical infrastructure, and water security. Pilot programs in peri-urban Medellín (Colombia) and rural Bandung (Indonesia) will test mechanisms to involve communities in co-design and co-implementation of technological solutions, enhancing their technical capacities and autonomy. The pilots follow a three-step methodology: diagnosis of relationships between communities and their environments; co-design of solutions; and co-implementation of such solutions. Educational strategies will be embedded throughout to foster local knowledge and outreach. Short-term impacts are expected to include improved social cohesion and strengthened interpersonal connections via collaborative efforts. Local partners, including governments and associations, will facilitate community access, improve institutional trust, and help institutions better understand community realities. The resulting framework, integrating sustainable and traditional construction methods, will support climate adaptation of infrastructure, regeneration of ecosystems, and biodiversity promotion.