Extreme heat, altered rain patterns, and flooding events, amplified by climate change, are changing the nature of 24-hour risk cycles faced by low-income neighbourhoods and informal settlements in the urban global South. In cities such as Karachi (Pakistan) and Nairobi (Kenya), climatic changes interact with existing forms of urban violence, generating new and complex landscapes of visible and invisible risks for residents.
In this podcast we look at the research findings from the IDS-partnered project The 24-Hour Risk City: A Framework for Thinking About Building Infrastructures of Climate Repair in Nairobi and Karachi. The project aims to investigate, explore and understand the relationship between urban change and intensifying climate impacts as this generates new cycles of ’24-hour risks’ in the urban global south.
Listen to the podcast
Chairing the podcast is Joe Mulligan, Executive Director and Founding Principal, Kounkuey Design Initiative. In the podcast he talks to researchers: Nirmal Riaz, Senior Research Associate, Karachi Urban Lab at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and Christine Wandera, Senior Community Associate, Kounkuey Design Initiative.
The guests talk about the how research from Nairobi and Karachi points to the opportunities to build resilient infrastructures in ways that strengthen and support community networks for the future.
About the interviewer
Joe Mulligan is a Founding Principal of KDI, and currently serves as Executive Director. A chartered civil engineer, he is passionate about the joint application of science and local knowledge to develop responsive and sustainable projects. Joe co-directs the global organization and oversees all of KDI Kenya’s projects and operations. He has twenty years of professional experience in sustainable infrastructure master planning; design and delivery of water, wastewater, and drainage systems; and participatory design and engineering projects in both rural and urban settings.
About the interviewees
Christine Wandera is a Senior Community Associate at Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI). I She has a bachelor’s degree from Tangaza College, Catholic University of East Africa and a Master’s Degree from the University of Nairobi in International Conflict Management (ICM). Her specialism is in Community Processes, Peace Building, Civic Education, Research and Participatory Theatre.
Nirmal Riaz, has been associated with the Karachi Urban Lab or KUL since 2016. The KUL is an interdisciplinary, collaborative platform for research and advocacy at the Institute of Business Administration, in Karachi, Pakistan. Nirmal has been involved with the BICR project in the capacity of a Senior Research Associate. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at a private university called SZABIST in Karachi. She also received an MA in Social Anthropology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2021. Her interests are sociocultural anthropology with a special focus on environmental history, postcolonial encounters with infrastructure, gender relations and political ecology.
About the Between the Lines podcast
This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas.
Episodes content could feature authors of new books, IDS research or interviews with special guest stars.
The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally.
Send your comments and episode suggestions to [email protected]
