Uccrn Education In 2019, the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN) launched a district-level Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW) in Isipingo, Durban. This initiative aimed to support the city’s urban renewal efforts by integrating climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies. City Teams, along with students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and municipal staff, collaborated to develop climate-responsive actions that addressed local ecological, social, and economic conditions. The workshop utilized advanced GIS tools to map regional climate data, analyze land surface temperature, and identify flood-prone zones using variables such as groundwater levels and soil permeability.
Participatory Design and Digital Tools for Climate Adaptation
The workshop involved both community engagement sessions and co-design activities. Local residents, industry representatives, and civil society participated in interactive feedback sessions, identifying barriers and opportunities for climate action. Simultaneously, municipal officials used digital design tools like Grasshopper and open-source plugins (Ladybug and Honeybee) to test urban regeneration scenarios. These simulations evaluated how green infrastructure, shading systems, and reflective surfaces could enhance urban comfort and reduce energy consumption. The results helped inform resilient design solutions that promote sustainable land use and low-carbon development.
Scaling Up Solutions through River Management and Policy Guidance
In 2023, the outcomes of the Isipingo UDCW were revisited to support the Transformative River Management Programme (TRMP), which addresses climate risks in Durban’s river catchments. Supported by the CICLIA programme, the TRMP applies climate-resilient urban design to improve water quality, manage waste, and reduce flood risks in catchments like Ohlanga and Palmiet. Through continued collaboration with UCCRN and its educational branch, UCCRN_edu, stakeholders explored policies and actions to create low-carbon, efficient urban systems. This process demonstrated the potential for compact, climate-smart urban districts to deliver social, environmental, and economic co-benefits while preparing communities for future climate challenges.
