The Application of IMM Methodology and SMART Model to Climate Vulnerable Secondary Cites in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Case of Quelimane, Mozambique

This research proposes a paradigm for enhancing urban built environments’ resilience to various climatic risks using adaptable design solutions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study identifies dysfunctional components of the built environment using the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) and directs the choice, prioritization, and integration of design methods. The SMART model, developed from the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the IMM, is used as a flexible design tool tailored with prototype projects to address the specific requirements of vulnerable areas. The research is applied to Quelimane, a coastal city in Mozambique, using a thematic model called SMART that includes green roofs, urban farming, communal gardens, rainwater collecting, and low-impact development. The suggested framework and the Quelimane case study demonstrate how an integrated, holistic, and multi-scaled methodology can be used to improve the capacity of urban built environments to adapt to multiple climate hazards, particularly in low-income countries where active strategies may not be practical.