The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) formally handed over four upgraded climate-resilient homes to beneficiaries in the Moyiba informal settlement on Thursday, August 20, 2026. This handover marks a significant step in providing affordable, resilient housing solutions in the region. The intervention, implemented under the URBAN TRACS project, which stands for Transformative Research for Adaptation to Climate Change in Informal Settlements, aims to address the vulnerabilities faced by residents. The four upgraded homes form part of SLURC's pilot resilience intervention, demonstrating practical approaches to climate adaptation within informal communities. The ceremony, held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, showed SLURC's commitment to enhancing urban resilience through community-driven initiatives.
Addressing Climate Vulnerability
Climate change presents an escalating risk to Sierra Leone, particularly for vulnerable communities exposed to increased temperatures, intense rainfall, and other climate-related hazards, according to Dr. Joseph M. Macarthy. Dr. Macarthy stated that the Moyiba project aims to demonstrate that improving vulnerable communities does not necessarily require expensive housing schemes or the relocation of residents. This approach, he added, is based on the principle that residents should participate in identifying problems and developing solutions, as they possess key knowledge about their communities' conditions. The project's emphasis on local participation ensures that interventions are appropriate and sustainable, directly addressing the specific challenges faced by the residents of informal settlements like Moyiba.
The project began with an assessment of housing conditions in Moyiba to identify structures most vulnerable to climate shocks, explained Research Officer at SLURC, Ansumana Tarawally. Researchers examined the condition of foundations, walls, and roofs, along with the number of occupants, house size, and homeowners' economic circumstances, Tarawally noted. He reported that several houses exhibited weak foundations and damaged structures, with some experiencing water infiltration during heavy rainfall. These findings noted the urgent need for structural improvements to safeguard residents from the increasingly severe weather events. Ten houses were subsequently selected for detailed assessment and design, with four receiving the current upgrades, Tarawally confirmed. The project emphasized the use of affordable and durable materials in its interventions, ensuring that the solutions were not only effective but also replicable within similar socio-economic contexts. SLURC also installed temperature monitoring devices in selected houses to collect data on indoor conditions both before and after the improvements, Tarawally said. This data collection is key for evaluating the effectiveness of the upgrades in improving thermal comfort and overall resilience.
Chief Yaraba Bangura, the Chief of Moyiba, appealed for the initiative's expansion, noting that many other households in Moyiba continue to live in vulnerable and deteriorating structures. Chief Bangura stressed that organizations and development partners should consider supporting similar housing improvements in the community, as the needs extend beyond the four homes upgraded under the pilot project. He noted the widespread challenges faced by residents, including inadequate infrastructure and exposure to environmental hazards, which necessitate broader intervention. The Chief's appeal showed the significant demand for climate-resilient housing solutions across the settlement.
The Upgrades and Community Involvement
The project integrated local expertise and academic involvement in its implementation. Local builders and laborers from the community participated in the construction work, alongside researchers from Moyiba and architecture students. This approach facilitated knowledge transfer and fostered community ownership of the initiative, ensuring that the skills and benefits remained within the community. The collaboration between local workers and academic experts created a valuable learning environment, where traditional building practices were combined with modern resilience techniques.
The enhancements made to the homes were tailored to the specific needs of each structure, according to Ansumana Tarawally, a Research Officer at SLURC. Tarawally stated, "The upgrades varied according to the condition of each house and included foundation and wall strengthening, roof improvements, ceiling installations, better ventilation, improved windows, privacy measures and other structural interventions." These interventions aimed to bolster the resilience of the homes against climate impacts. Foundation and wall strengthening addressed structural vulnerabilities, making the houses more stable against heavy rains and potential flooding. Roof improvements and ceiling installations were designed to mitigate water infiltration and improve insulation, protecting residents from both precipitation and extreme temperatures. Enhanced ventilation and improved windows contributed to better indoor air quality and temperature regulation, key for adapting to rising temperatures and ensuring occupant comfort. Privacy measures were also incorporated, reflecting a holistic approach to improving living conditions within the informal settlement, recognizing that a home's quality extends beyond its structural integrity to include the dignity and well-being of its inhabitants. The focus on affordable and durable materials ensured that the improvements were not only effective but also sustainable for the community.
SLURC's Broader Mission and Impact
The handover of the upgraded homes represents another step in the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre's (SLURC) efforts to generate practical evidence on climate-resilient housing and demonstrate solutions that can be adapted and replicated in other vulnerable urban communities. The initiative serves as a tangible example of how targeted interventions can significantly improve living conditions and reduce climate vulnerability in informal settlements. Isata Mansaray, a mother of two and a beneficiary of an upgraded home, described the intervention as "a significant improvement in my family’s living conditions." Mansaray added that the previous condition of her house had "exposed my family to several difficulties, particularly during heavy rainfall," and she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to live in a safer and more comfortable environment. She appealed for similar interventions to be extended to other vulnerable households in Moyiba, noting that many residents continue to live in poor housing conditions. Her testimony shows the profound impact these improvements have on the daily lives and safety of families.
Dr. Joseph M. Macarthy, representing SLURC, explained that the organization's work over the past decade has focused on generating evidence from communities and sharing research with government institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders to support better urban development decisions. This extensive engagement ensures that SLURC's findings and recommendations inform policy and practice at various levels. SLURC’s interventions extend beyond housing to areas such as drainage improvement, water provision, and rainwater management, all aimed at strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities. This multi-faceted approach recognizes the interconnected nature of urban challenges and the need for full solutions to build truly resilient settlements. By integrating diverse interventions, SLURC aims to create sustainable models for urban development that can be replicated across Sierra Leone and beyond, fostering greater climate resilience and improving the quality of life for urban dwellers.