Building a Climate Refuge through the Scaling-up of Community Housing
Creators: Quirk, Jeffrey
Publisher: name: University of Alberta Library
Year: 2024

<p>The climate crisis has become one of the most critical and highly discussed issues that humanity is currently facing. As the impacts of climate change are becoming more severe, it is anticipated that internal and external migration will continue to increase drastically (IDMC, 2023. IPCC, 2023, UNHCR, 2022). One suggested strategy to increase the adaptive capacity for the displacement of individuals is the implementation of planned relocation strategies, providing voluntary relocation options to impacted individuals (McAdam, 2012; Piggott-McKellar &amp; Vella, 2023), what has been referred to as a ‘climate refuge.’ </p>

<p>The impetus for this research is the prediction that over the next century climate-induced migration to Canada will heavily impact the need for affordable housing. In light of this prediction, this thesis asks: How can Canada plan for the long-term goal of becoming a climate refuge? What existing barriers to change need to be addressed in the current housing regime? What role is there for the community housing sector?  To explore the prospects of building a climate refuge in Canada, this thesis considers the climate and housing affordability crises as a polycrisis (Cascade Institute, n.d.). This research attempts to investigate the interaction processes of this polycrisis, by looking at the impacts that Climate is having on the Canadian Housing System, mainly through climate-induced migration. Keeping these intersecting contexts in mind, the thesis examines the current housing regime through the lens of transitions theory (i.e., scaling, path dependency, and the multi-level perspective). This theoretical lens provides insight into the dynamics shaping societal change and has been used widely in sustainability studies.</p>

<p>To address the above questions, this research used arts-based research methods to synthesize existing climate change impacts, immigration patterns and Canada’s housing sector. More specifically, this research proceeded through the development of a four-part narrative podcast series. I utilized an arts-based methodology centred on a narrative podcast that sought to weave together expert knowledge using a storytelling approach. By employing podcasting as the methodology, rather than more traditional qualitative forms of analysis, this thesis endeavours to foster a broader awareness and understanding of the complexity of climate change adaptation and the centrality of housing. The impacts that future climate-induced migration is to have upon the housing system consist of many complex relationships. This research understands that this is considered a ‘wicked problem’, as it does not have a clear solution. The research adopts Geels’ Multi-level Perspective (MLP) to view this polycrisis as a socio-technical transition. The research highlights the role of these crises as landscapes that exert pressure on the housing system, necessitating the analysis of stabilizing forces and lock-ins caused by path dependency that make the housing system resistant to change. Niche developments are explored, with an understanding that appropriate solutions will vary geographically. The importance for policymakers to acknowledge the connection between affordable housing and immigration is highlighted, ensuring that effective strategies are implemented to address the housing needs of newcomers as well as marginalized and low-income communities.  </p>