Overheating cities: lessons from informal settlements in Dar es Salaam

As global temperatures rise, cities are overheating, putting the most vulnerable populations in urban informal settlements at greatest risk.

Gaps in localised data on heat and humidity, plus a lack of engagement by governments of people living in informal settlements, reduces the effectiveness of adaptation measures for vulnerable populations.

This briefing draws on findings from community-led data collection in two informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which reveal the effects of rising temperatures on residents’ health, livelihoods and education.

The findings can inform targeted and effective local action by policymakers, planners and communities to address heat risks and underline the importance of community-led data collection.