Higher Ground Initiative

HGI (Higher Ground Initiative) is a new urbanism project that will bring greater resilience to our economy and our communities.

“A vision for a safe, secure, and resilient future for Nauru.”

Our mission is to

  • migrate vulnerable homes and critical infrastructure to higher elevation

  • significantly expand local food production

  • restore degraded natural habitats and pioneer a new Pacific Island urbanism

As a Pacific Small Island Developing State, the Republic of Nauru is extremely vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. Our county is also one of the most densely populated in the Pacific and faces an acute shortage of housing.

To meet these twin challenges, Nauru is pioneering a new Pacific urbanism that will bring greater resilience to our economy and our communities.

The Higher Ground Initiative is a generational undertaking that is critical to the long-term survival and viability of the Republic of Nauru as a sovereign nation state.

As the negative impacts of climate change increase in severity and sea level rise threatens to inundate the country’s low-lying coastal areas, a managed migration of people and infrastructure to the higher elevation of Topside is a matter of national security.

HGI is our single most important climate adaptation action.

The HGI master planning project is providing a vision for the future development of the Republic of Nauru, guided by the Pillars of the Higher Ground Initiative and responsive to challenges of the changing global climate.

Funded by the Government of Nauru and led by the HGI steering Committee, this project was launched in August of 2021 and will continue its consultation and documentation process through 2023.

The project team is being led by urban planning consultancy Metrocology, in partnership with the firms Design Workshop; Merrill, Pastor & Colgan Architects; Land Equity International; Boffa Miskell; and Fraser Thomas.

To date, a draft vision for the safe secure, and resilience future for Nauru has been developed. Together with the participation of all vested stakeholders and committed partners, the next steps of this master planning project will be taken and a path for implementation will be established, led by the HGI Steering Committee on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Nauru.

The Pillars of HGI

  • Land Rehabilitation

    Integrated and cost effective rehabilitation of previously mined land located at the higher elevation interior of the island.

  • Economic Diversification

    • Development of building trades

    • Local production of component parts of structures

    • Investment in domestic food production industry

  • Affordable Green Housing

    • Based on local designs

    • Resilient form and materials appropriate for local climate

    • Built and maintained by Nauruans

  • Education & Training

    • Upskilling of local workforce to enable participation in construction process

    • Integration of concepts related to local sustainability and resilience into school curriculum

  • Food Security

    • Scaled-up food production at household, community, and national levels

    • Deployment of land- and water-efficient food production methods, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics

  • Good Health & Well-being

    • Safe, walkable neighborhoods

    • Ample and accessible public greenspaces

    • Quick access to natural preserves

    • Locally-produced fruits and vegetables

  • Water Security

    • Integration of water collection and gray-water recycling into structures and neighborhood plans

    • Reticulated water supply and enhanced water storage facilities

  • Natural Restoration

    • Expansion of areas with high endemic biodiversity

    • Reservation of substantial previously mined areas for reforestation with native species

  • Energy Security

    • Installation of solar panels on rooftops and above car parks

    • Light-weight building construction to reduce cooling requirements

    • High-efficiency appliances

  • Cultural Restoration

    • Integration of public spaces suitable for cultural activities, gatherings and performance

    • Encouragement of local trades and crafts (stone- and woodworking, murals, etc.) in the building process

  • Low/Zero Carbon Transport

    • Walkable neighbourhoods with most daily requirements satisfied nearby

    • Safe streets and ample pedestrian paths to encourage walking and biking

    • EV charging infrastructure

  • Good Governance

    • Whole-of Government approach used throughout design and implementation process

    • Frequent public consultation and engagement, particularly with poor, vulnerable, women and girls

Meet the Director of Higher Ground Initiative

  • Enola-Gay Anadella Edward

    HGI DIRECTOR