Projects - research
Rwanda Natural Material & Climate Adaptation Study
We bridge data, design, and community insight to advance equitable, climate-adaptive development.
Building Circular Economies
Local Material Intelligence
Built from the research presented at
NOMA 2025: “Resilient by Design: Leveraging Data & Material Innovation for Climate-Adaptive Architecture”, Climate Lens transforms data into actionable strategies for architects, developers, and policymakers.
Rwanda Pilot
Rwanda’s rapid urbanization presents a unique opportunity to align growth with regenerative design. Our research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of natural and hybrid materials — including volcanic stone, bamboo, eucalyptus timber, rammed earth, hemp, and agri-waste composites — to evaluate their life cycles, climate suitability, and cost effectiveness.
Through the
Climate Lens, we modeled how these materials perform across thermal comfort, carbon, and availability metrics. Using the
Insights Engine, we synthesized hundreds of documents — from policy reports to construction standards — to reveal where government plans, material supply, and funding priorities align or diverge.
How it works
Key Insights
Climate Lens supports informed, regenerative decision-making.
01
Climate Risk
Using data on heat islands, flood zones, and drought vulnerability we generate hazard overlay maps for site feasibility.
02
Social & Equity
With income, displacement, tenure, and demographic data, we create an equity impact report for zoning and design.
03
Map local material supply chains
We leverage data regarding local production, embodied carbon, and availability to generate a Circular Material Index + emissions savings.
04
Policy & Finance
By understanding and analyzing Incentives, zoning codes, and ESG programs, we visualize strategies aligned with policy and funding pathways.
How It Works
01
Aggregate Data
We connect climate, policy, and social datasets — creating a unified geospatial map for project analysis.
02
Simulate Scenarios
Users run comparative models: retrofit vs. rebuild, high vs. low-carbon materials, local sourcing vs. imports.
03
Generate Reports & KPIs
Outputs include resilience ratings, cost-benefit insights, and carbon impact summaries for investors, planners, and policy teams.
Case Studies
Rwanda Pilot x NYCHA Demos
we are Advancing several deep, interconnected focus areas to build equitable, climate-adaptive ecosystems.
NYCHA Public Housing: Climate Lens Demo
In New York, the tool recommends retrofit packages and resilience
funding stacks. “Resilience isn’t just about surviving climate events — it’s about reprogramming the systems that create vulnerability in the first place.”
— Teonna N. Cooksey, NOMA 2025 Seminar
Kigali, Rwanda Pilot: Markets Explorer Demo
In Rwanda, the Climate Lens is being deployed to model affordable housing resilience. By visualizing flood risk, material availability, and affordability zones, the platform helps developers and policymakers design housing that is adaptive, equitable, and fundable.
Get Involved
Climate Lens is Mecca Development’s emerging digital framework for climate analysis and material strategy — built to help architects, developers, and cities design more resilient, equitable, and regenerative projects. The tool is currently in development, and we’re inviting select partners to pilot, co-develop, or invest in its growth.
Ways to Collaborate
Pilot a Project
Test Climate Lens on a live or upcoming site. Together, we’ll generate insights into climate adaptation, materials, and feasibility for your project.
Co-Develop the Tool
Join our network of researchers, firms, and civic organizations shaping the Climate Lens interface, datasets, and performance indicators.
Hire Us to Consult
Bring Mecca Development onto your team. We’ll apply Climate Lens principles to your project and help guide resilient design and investment decisions.
Invest in Development
Fund or sponsor Climate Lens’s next phase of growth. Support research, software development, and partnerships that accelerate climate-forward planning.
Join the Waitlist
Be first to know when Climate Lens launches publicly and gain early access to demos and insights.
Climate Lens - Part of the Regal.ia Ecosystem
What Sets Us Apart
- We consult beyond checklists: Our approach is relational, adaptive, and analytics-driven.
- We equip others to lead: Our platforms help teams own their development process.
- We design for regeneration: From circular material strategies to community wealth, our work is built to last and evolve.