 |
| Julian Hochgesang/Unsplash |
Home = Security is the desired way. The reality is another story altogether.
Why are we being morbid? Consider 20 million global citizens forced out of their homes due to climate-based disasters over the last decade.
Who’s at risk?
Lower-income families, especially those in flood/storm/pollution/drought/heat-wave prone areas.
What is the need of the hour?
The right to proper individual housing worldwide. We need 2 billion new homes by the century-end.
But what about accompanying carbon emissions? Does this represent the biggest global conundrum of today, i.e. balancing social justice with climate consciousness? Yes, it does.
5 probable solutions/answers
1️⃣ Affordable and climate-smart housing ventures.
2️⃣ Zero-energy homes for vulnerable families.
3️⃣ Solar projects with integrated housing communities.
4️⃣ Retrofitting for better liveability and lower emissions.
5️⃣ Standardisation and prefabrication to balance affordable housing needs, social justice, and climate concerns.
Inspiring Stories
😇 BuildX Studio is building prefabricated zero-carbon homes in Kenya.
😇 Open Door Design Studio in Karachi is working on zero-energy pre-made homes at only USD10 for every square foot.
😇 Billion Bricks is offering a solar farm with integrated housing, making these 485-880 sq. ft. units cheaper. Prototypes are coming up in India and the Philippines.
😇 Retrofitting in North America involves zero-displacement, pre-fabricated envelopes for net-zero buildings. Ontario’s Ken South Tower has cut emissions by 94% for example.
Great stories. Greater initiatives. But will climate-smart affordable housing for the vulnerable and disadvantaged be a reality?
It depends on continual innovation (and the Mandarins in power).