As urbanisation accelerates, informal settlements are becoming an increasingly common feature of cities worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These areas are among the most exposed and sensitive to climate-related risks, including flooding, extreme heat, and service disruptions. Often located in environmentally vulnerable parts of cities, informal settlements face heightened risks due to limited infrastructure, insecure land tenure, and restricted access to basic services and decision-making processes.

At the same time, informal settlements are places of strong social networks, deep local knowledge, and everyday innovation. Urban resilience cannot be achieved by focusing solely on the formal city; it must be inclusive, locally grounded, and shaped by lived realities. Strengthening climate resilience in informal settlements is therefore essential for cities responding to increasing climate impacts.

Through the INACCT Resilience Project, collaboration with communities in Durban and Beira has demonstrated that co-produced approaches such as community-based early warning systems, local risk profiling, and nature-based solutions can reduce risk, strengthen relationships between communities and local authorities, and support more just and effective pathways for urban adaptation. Investing in resilience in informal settlements ultimately strengthens the resilience of the city as a whole.