Project Description
The regional research project focuses on enhancing climate-resilient WASH services in urban informal settlements in PNG, Fiji and Vanuatu through trough the development of decision and planning support systems, citizen science for localized climate insights, advocacy methods, and engagement with settlement residents in collaborative planning.
The goal is to understand WASH climate-resilience in Melanesian informal settlements, encompassing individual, collective, and systemic resilience. The project aims to identify effective ways stakeholders can enhance resilience through urban planning, WASH service improvement, and fostering partnerships.
To address this, the research targets three objectives (O), nested into two components (C):
1. Integrating Climate Science and Local Knowledge (O1, C1): The project aims to combine climate science and local knowledge, bridging data gaps for future climate hazards. This involves linking citizen science climate data with historical records and spatial modelling to understand climate’s impact on WASH services.
2. Urban Planning for Resilient WASH (O2, C1): The study explores incorporating planning support systems (PSS) into urban and WASH planning. PSS are frameworks aiding decision-making, including spatial platforms, data collection methods, visualizations, and decision support tools.
3. Influencing Societal and Political Attitudes (O3, C2): The project examines strategies to improve attitudes toward upgrading WASH services. It considers how leaders and organizations can champion better WASH services in informal settlements.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
This research is intended to be closely partnered with stakeholders from national and town planning departments, WASH departments and water utilities, as well as learning from the experiences of settlement residents. In that sense, the project aims to benefit government technicians and high-level decision-makers, community representatives and settlement residents.
Outcomes to Date
Early field work is currently being completed.
Project Significance
The project’s multidimensional approach has the potential to make substantial progress toward several key SDGs, particularly those related to water, sanitation, climate resilience, urban development, and partnerships for sustainable development.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The project directly contributes by enhancing WASH services in urban informal settlements, ensuring access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and promoting good hygiene practices.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By focusing on climate-resilient WASH services and urban planning, the project works towards creating more inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban settlements.
SDG 13: Climate Action: The project’s emphasis on localized climate science and resilience-building aligns with efforts to combat climate change and its impacts on vulnerable communities.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project’s collaborative approach, engaging settlement residents, leaders, and organizations, contributes to fostering partnerships necessary for achieving sustainable development.
SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Improved WASH services and inclusive planning can contribute to poverty reduction and reduce inequalities within informal settlements.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Better access to clean water and sanitation can lead to improved health and well-being outcomes for residents.
SDG 5: Gender Equality: The project’s focus on inclusion and advocacy can contribute to addressing gender disparities, particularly in accessing WASH services.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Strengthening community engagement and leadership can contribute to more stable and empowered local institutions.