Building Healthier Cities in South Africa
About the Collection
South Africa is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Some regions are already experiencing warming at twice the global average rate, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense. This is affecting all parts of society and the health and wellbeing of local communities.
With a rapidly growing urban population and high levels of social inequality, South Africa faces critical challenges linked to climate change and human health. Its cities must now adapt to these evolving challenges and lead the way towards creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.
This collection on Open Planet, supported by Wellcome, features new footage, interviews and data visualisations showing the impacts of climate change on urban communities in South Africa, as well as the inspired solutions and initiatives helping communities to build resilience.
Tell your story
Explore and use this collection on Open Planet to tell new stories, from new perspectives, to help raise awareness and inspire urgent action on climate and health.
Start your storyClimate impacts in South Africa
South Africa’s geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change. As a warm and dry region, it is expected to experience hotter and drier extremes in the future, with severe heatwaves and prolonged droughts. Increased thunderstorms and tropical cyclones are also forecast, bringing heavy rains and flash flooding.
Extreme weather is already affecting South Africa’s food and water security, health, infrastructure and ecosystem services, as well as the local economy and tourism. In September 2024, South Africa was hit by unprecedented snowfall, wreaking havoc on local communities, crops, transport, and other essential services.
For coastal communities, the combination of rising sea levels and extreme weather events is putting increased pressure on the landscape and infrastructure. One of those cities on the frontline of change is Durban, located on the east coast of South Africa, in the KwaZulu Natal province.
Durban: on the frontline of extreme flooding
For Durban, where 18 major river systems converge, escalating flooding events and associated landslides and mudflows are a major concern.
In 2022, Durban experienced one of its most severe flooding events on record. Hundreds of people lost their lives, more than 40,000 others were displaced and over 12,000 homes were destroyed, with widespread damage to infrastructure across the city.
Vulnerable communities living in informal settlements were among the worst affected. An estimated 300,000 Durban residents live in informal settlements, often built along the city’s many river tributaries.
“People are always worried that every time the rain would come, their houses would be washed away. They are living in fear.”
— Luyanda Xolo, community member of the Quarry Road West informal settlement
How flooding affects human health
The health impacts from disasters such as flooding are wide-ranging and complex. They include infectious diseases from contaminated water, as well as injury, mental health problems, and lack of food and nutrition. Flooding events can also put a major strain on local health services.
Most of the drinking water network was out of service following the 2022 flooding in Durban
In Durban’s informal settlements, problems of inadequate infrastructure such as electricity, sanitation and waste management are made worse with each flooding event. This can cause a destructive aftermath of water quality issues and an increased risk of waterborne diseases.
Flooding can also cause deep trauma for local communities who, time after time, have their homes washed away.
Urban communities taking action
To respond to the scale of the crisis, organisations, educators, citizens and other community members across Durban are coming together to champion solutions.
One example is a project involving residents of the Quarry Road West informal settlement, the University of KwaZulu Natal and ICLEI Africa. Together, they are helping community members cope with the trauma of previous floods and understand how they can protect themselves in the future. This includes developing early warning systems and sharing experiences and knowledge with neighbouring communities.
“Cities are where the majority of people live and work. Every city may face unique challenges, but collaboration is at the heart of building healthier and climate resilient cities.”
— Dr Kate Strachan, ICLEI Africa
Upstream of the informal settlements, projects are underway to restore urban nature and maintain the river channels, to reduce flooding and clean the water. Volunteers are working to create precious wetlands, which act like sponges, absorbing more water from storm events.
Elsewhere, residents are working together to remove litter and waste from the rivers, reducing blockages that can lead to flash floods.
”Nature-based solutions can be done by ordinary people, in any situation, anywhere. You just need a willing heart and willing hands to do it.”
— Luci Coelho, Project Leader for the Mend the Molweni Project
As Durban looks to the future, connecting these projects could be key to driving city-wide success in building communities that are resilient to the worst impacts of climate change.
Call for change
Durban is one of many cities responding to the climate crisis. As we navigate this critical decade, we have a crucial opportunity to share compelling stories of local solutions and resilience, to help inspire other communities to take action. Discover powerful visuals through our collection to start your story today.
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