Ongoing

Climate, Peace and Security in Sahel, Africa

In collaboration with FAST (Foundations for Achieving seamless territory), International Organization of Migration (IOM) and UN Peace-building Fund

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, with far-reaching implications for human societies and the environment. One significant consequence of climate change is forced migration, where individuals and communities relocate due to changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. Over the next 30 years, about 200 million people (which is a low estimate) will be displaced by rising sea levels, drought, and extreme climates. Impoverished regions, historically least responsible for these conditions, will be hit hardest as extreme climate zones expand from 1% to 20% of Earth’s land (IPCC, The Earthbound Report)

Currently, there’s a noticeable gap between the immediate response to climate-induced displacement  —such as setting up emergency reception, providing humanitarian aid, and establishing short-term resilience measures—and the enduring shifts in climate. This gap can be seen in both policy and practice of current displacement management provided by the United Nations and the broader international community. Because the causes and the responses to displacement relate to the built environment to a great extent, these organizations need to diversify their competencies and institutional arrangements to better prepare for the future. We firmly believe that spatial design research can play a pivotal role in, for example, identifying areas more conducive for long-term habitation, establishing sustainable food production and ensuring accessible water sources.