Climate Resilience and the New Urban Agenda in Zimbabwe: The Role of the Built Environment Disciplines and Practice

In Zimbabwe, rapid urbanisation is sprouting informal settlements which are vulnerable to climate change. Climate change has been affecting the built environment through extreme weather events and disaster occurrence. It is important to address the impact of extreme weather events through resilient built environment fostered by both practice and curricula. To achieve this, the study relied on literature review, central and local government resilience policies, strategies and remote sensing data on disaster vulnerability. The findings show high levels of vulnerability in informal settlements which have been subject to flooding, environmental degradation and climate-induced diseases. They further reveal how Zimbabwe can use the New Urban Agenda to advance existing national strategies around climate resilience and the built environment. The study offers a framework for a resilient built environment in Zimbabwe.