Humanitarian Planning Hub: Sustainable housing for displaced populations
The research group Spatial Development and Urban Policy (SPUR) recently launched the Humanitarian Planning Hub. This research and policy hub co-creates knowledge between academia and practice to serve the housing needs of displaced populations worldwide through environmentally and socially sustainable humanitarian planning.
The first project of the Humanitarian Planning Hub is a cooperation with theexternal page Geneva Technical Hub, a joint initiative of the external page UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and external page Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with the aim of providing innovative technologies and technical expertise to tackle the manifold challenges faced by millions of displaced people worldwide. A special focus lies in the greening of the blue, meaning the reduction of the environmental impact of humanitarian action.
In the initial phase of this cooperation, the Humanitarian Planning Hub will support this initiative with two specific projects. First, it will help with the creation of a practical hazard and risk assessment and risk mitigation tool for UNHCR field staff working in new or existing humanitarian settlements. Secondly, the Humanitarian Planning Hub will help creating a practical tool for assessing the environmental impact of refugee settlements and providing possible sustainable interventions with the aim of reducing the environmental impact.
For both tasks, the Humanitarian Planning Hub is closely cooperating with the Chair of Planning Landscape and Urban Systems (PLUS). More project cooperations with the Geneva Technical Hub on different issues are planned.