Urban Climate Resilience During State Collapse: Grassroots Housing in Sudan

This paper examines the intersection of housing, service delivery, and climate resilience in conflict-affected Sudan. With the destruction of formal infrastructure, displaced populations face compounded vulnerabilities to climate shocks, including extreme heat and seasonal flooding. Aligning with the Housing and Infrastructure track, this research investigates how Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) deliver essential housing services and shelter adaptations for displacement-affected communities (DACs) that function as de facto climate resilience measures. Utilizing a qualitative methodology based on gray literature and local reports, we analyze how ERRs repurpose buildings, secure informal settlements, and manage emergency kitchens and schools. Key findings demonstrate that during state collapse, community-led housing interventions and basic service delivery are the primary mechanisms for reducing climate exposure. The implications for policy and practice are urgent: global climate frameworks must bridge the gap between emergency shelter and climate adaptation by directly funding civic networks and integrating grassroots service delivery into equitable urban resilience planning.