Kampung Kalibata Pulo, Jakarta

Kalibata Pulo, nestled between the Kali Pulo and Kali Pejaten rivers, frequently faces flooding, particularly in the low-lying residential areas near these waterways. The ongoing transformation of the rivers, particularly the shallowing of Kali Pulo, has disrupted the community’s historical ties to the waters. Additionally, the heavy reliance on groundwater for daily needs has led to persistent issues with clean water supply and poor sanitation. This densely populated area, home to diverse ethnic groups from across Indonesia, remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters and at risk of maladaptation from supply-side climate action policies.

Şahintepe in Küçükçekmece Basin, Istanbul

Küçükçekmece Basin, one of Istanbul’s most flood-prone areas, exhibits a fragmented urban landscape shaped by immigration, resulting in diverse working-class neighbourhoods with distinct social identities. Beyond the looming water risks driven by the climate crisis, these communities face mounting pressures from aggressive urban development. The proposed ‘Canal Istanbul Project’ poses a grave threat to vital freshwater resources and the surrounding working-class areas, intensifying already rampant real estate speculation and worsening existing challenges. Our focus turns to Şahintepe, a working-class neighbourhood within Küçükçekmece, grappling with shifting water policies and the risk of displacement. In response, a grassroots initiative, Şahinbey Halk Dayanışması (Şahinbey People’s Solidarity), has emerged to resist these threats. The group actively collaborates with local civic organisations, championing community-driven development models and mobilising residents to protect their neighbourhood’s future.