Housing Futures: Comparative Strategies for Climate-Resilient Housing in the Global North and South

As climate change intensifies, the housing sector, one of the most critical elements of the built environment, faces growing exposure to risk. These vulnerabilities are especially pronounced in countries of the Global South. This study aims to identify adaptive strategies that can strengthen housing resilience in the face of climate-related threats. Through a qualitative content analysis of scientific literature, the study distills key themes and conceptual patterns. The methodological approach followed four stages: purposive data collection, open and axial coding, thematic synthesis, and the abstraction of strategic models. The comparative analysis of cases from the Global North and South demonstrates that resilience strategies in the North are primarily underpinned by advanced technologies, substantial investments, and data-driven approaches, while in developing contexts, emphasis is placed on low-cost innovations, the use of local resources, community participation, and structural flexibility. The findings indicate that neither pathway on its own is sufficient to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the climate crisis in the housing sector. Accordingly, this research proposes an adaptive and operational framework that integrates the technological and institutional capacities of the Global North with the social adaptability and indigenous knowledge of the Global South, thereby facilitating the design of scalable, context-specific, and equitable strategies. Such a framework can support policymakers, urban planners, and designers in simultaneously mitigating climate risks while advancing social justice and enhancing quality of life in vulnerable regions.