Geonarratives of Resilience and Coping: Understanding Lived Experiences of Urban Extreme Heat in Southeast Asia’s Informal Settlement Communities

This study investigates the collective narratives of informal settlement communities in Southeast Asia through the lens of participatory mapping, thereby elucidating geonarratives that encapsulate their lived experiences of extreme urban heat. As urban environments increasingly confront the challenges of rising temperatures—particularly evident in cities such as Bangkok in Thailand, and Quezon City in the Philippines—the integration of community perspectives into risk assessments becomes paramount. The heightened vulnerability of informal settlements to these climatic stressors necessitates a thorough examination of the insights provided by residents. Through participatory mapping exercises and focus group discussions, this research actively engages community members in articulating their lived experiences and adaptive strategies in response to extreme heat. The findings reveal that while these communities develop coping mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of heat, such strategies may inadvertently intensify their vulnerabilities and impose additional burdens. The geonarratives that emerge from these collective stories illustrate the interplay between vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities, illuminating the complexities of resilience. By fostering an inclusive participatory framework, this research enables community members to identify the local conditions and challenges that shape their resilience and coping strategies. By prioritising the voices of marginalised populations, this study underscores the necessity of integrating community insights into urban planning and climate adaptation strategies, thereby enhancing resilience in the face of escalating climate risks.