What community-centred climate resilient housing could look like: If Cities Could Speak at the KwaLangaLibalele Launch.
Kanyisile Brukwe was a discussant on the panel at the launch of Ndifuna Ukwazi’s KwaLangaLibalele report in Langa, Cape Town, on 2 October 2026. The launch was organised by Ndifuna Ukwazi, a housing justice organisation, and Ubuhle Bakha Ubuhle, which builds affordable sandbag homes in informal settlements.
KwaLangaLibalele explores the connections between housing, climate resilience and security of tenure. As communities face increasing risks from flooding, fires and extreme weather, the project asks how safer, more resilient communities can be built while strengthening people’s ability to remain securely housed. It brings together community knowledge, housing advocacy and practical approaches to climate resilience, drawing lessons from work in Langa, Cape Town’s oldest apartheid-style township.
Kanyisile brought an applied research perspective on urban vulnerability, community knowledge and translating lived experience into evidence for implementation. She shared lessons from If Cities Could Speak on the intersection of poor-quality housing, climate hazards and health, and on the vernacular adaptation practices communities are already using.
If Cities Could Speak also contributed a section to the report connecting climate, urban vulnerability and health.
