81322781-Integrated, inclusive and climate-smart spatial planning in Lüderitz, Aus and ||Kharas

Short project description: Namibia is currently preparing for the large-scale production of "green" hydrogen based on renewable energy. New wind and solar power plants are being planned by different companies in various areas of the Namibian desert to generate the necessary electricity. The coastal town of Lüderitz is in the center of a huge portion of these anticipated developments. Over the next few years, the hydrogen project and other economic activities are expected to lead to a strong influx of national and international workers and job seekers - especially as the qualification profile of the locals is unlikely to be sufficient in many cases to meet the requirements of the new industries. The rapid influx of new inhabitants could therefore exacerbate the currently already tight land market and increase difficulties in the provision of basic services, such as difficult water supply situation; the same applies to electricity supply and waste management. The extent to which the economic dynamism in Lüderitz will benefit the local people - and not rather increase already existing inequalities, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, as well as their security risks - particular for women and children - and the existing inequality is therefore not least a question of the planning and negotiating skills of the local government and administration. The foreseeable population growth also poses other challenges: An One informal settlement has already grown beyond the actual city limits. A further spatial expansion of the city is limited to the west by Lüderitz Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; an expansion to the east is currently being actively pursued by the city administration, but this is complicated by the neighboring national park and areas with mining rights for diamonds and requires the involvement of various stakeholders, especially national ones. Topographical and climatic conditions such as a hard, rocky subsoil and strong winds make urban development more difficult and inf