From capacity to capability: urban living labs as a route to gain influence

Urban living labs are increasingly used to support climate resilience in cities across the global South, yet many struggle to move beyond bounded pilot projects, particularly in contexts of informality and fragmented governance.

Informal settlers, despite being among the most exposed to climate risks, remain largely excluded from formal planning and decision making. This briefing examines how urban living labs can have lasting influence, allowing informal settlers to gain access to planning and resettlement governance.

The work of the Homeless Peoples’ Federation Philippines, Inc. (HPFPI) and its partner Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment, Inc. (TAMPEI) in the city of Iloilo in the Philippines shows how repeatedly demonstrating self-organisation capability can be converted into institutional leverage.

The briefing identifies four strategies – vision, leverage, legality and durability – through which urban living labs can strengthen community capability to negotiate, shape priorities and secure institutional commitments.