Future-proofing cities through climate change adaptation and systems transformation

The future of cities will depend on our ability to adapt to changes brought about by the challenges of climate change, ecosystem degradation, new technology, rapid urbanisation and growing inequality. This research area focuses primarily on the retrofitting and transformation of Southern African cities through the interplay between the technological, systemic and spatial design decisions made when developing design solutions. As research context the focus is on scales ranging from the detailed architectural interior to the neighbourhood public realm. The theoretic locus within which the research field is framed considers the sustainability discourse from the position of complex, adaptive systems and eco-systemic thinking – going beyond sustainability to also consider resilience and regenerative design in the adaptation and transformation of cities as social-ecological systems. Current research projects range from the development of a spatial development framework for regenerative and resilient cities, to climate-change adaptation and mitigation strategies for left-over urban spaces and affordable housing.