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of participatory meetings, including several city-wide
consultations, climate change adaptation and mitigation
options were agreed and prioritized based on the wider
needs of the city. The city is now drafting a shelter plan
and is revisiting its land use and sector development
plans. In addition, a livelihood-strengthening strategy
for the most vulnerable groups is being implemented,
including shelter retro-fitting in accordance with revised
building codes. The city has implemented ‘win-win’
energy saving measures and is strengthening its disas-
ter preparedness plans. Lessons learned contributed
to the Climate Change Act of the Philippines (2009),
which is exemplary as it attempts to bring clarity to the
institutional approach to climate change. It stresses the
multi-sectoral dimension and emphasises the role of
local governments in the implementation of the Act.
Meanwhile, a vulnerability assessment tool has been
developed to share the lessons learned in the Philippines.
The diversity of environmental, economic, social
and planning issues, the participatory approach and
the focus on city-driven (and hence low-cost) inter-
ventions made this an interesting project for university
education. The case study has featured prominently
at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development
Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam in two Urban
Management Masters programmes as well as a dedi-
cated Climate Change course. The University of the
Philippines School for Urban and Regional Planning
also uses the case study for its teaching, student research
programmes and academic research.
practitioners and communities. At the same time, the interaction
between universities and cities is fostered, which in turn will inform
universities’ education and research agendas. UN-HABITAT has
already signed letters of exchange with over 25 universities that
have expressed interest in joining HPU.
Promoting new teaching methods
The HPU initiative promotes new teaching methods for sustain-
able urban development. In this context, a field course on urban
ecological planning has been developed, with a strong focus on
plans for the city of Kampala, Uganda. In 2009, a group of students
from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
and Makerere University studied two slums in Kivulu and Acholi
Quarters, districts of Kampala.
The Kivulu group of students helped organize a resident-driven
construction committee, which jointly came up with improved
modes of construction, using locally produced compacted bricks
made by an interlocking stabilized soil bricks machine, which in
turn would rely on local labour.
The Acholi group focused on local capacity development and
prepared the community to identify projects of relevance with a long-
term impact. At the end of the study, a revolving fund was established
and operational within Acholi Quarters.
Learning from successful projects
In September 2008, Sorsogon City in the Philippines joined the Cities
in Climate Change Initiative as the first Asian city, prompted by the
increased number and intensity of tropical cyclones. A comprehensive
participatory vulnerability and adaptation assessment was conducted,
identifying vulnerable locations, populations and sectors. In a series
Child washing hands in a public fountain, Africa
Image: UN-HABITAT