TRANSFORMING POST-CONFLICT HOUSING IN BARMM- INTERNATIONAL ACTION RESEARCH INITIATION BY UPM EXPERTS 

Prof. Dr. Rahinah Ibrahim

THE PHILIPPINES, 30^th June 2025 - In a groundbreaking initiative bridging Malaysia and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is embarking on a technical research partnership visit to the Philippines from 30 June to 4 July 2025. This collaborative mission, led by Professor Ts Dr Rahinah Ibrahim marked a major step in fostering sustainable post-conflict housing and urban regeneration in BARMM.

Following an earlier benchmarking visit by the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD-BARMM) to UPM in December 2023, this visit aimed to formalize academic-government cooperation through high-level meetings, site visits, and policy forums. Courtesy visits were conducted with the Malaysian Embassy in Manila, the Chief Minister of BARMM, the Bangsamoro Wālī, and the Mayor of Cotabato City.

The delegation comprised of UPM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Zamberi Sekawi, and also includes multidisciplinary team of experts: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shureen Faris Abd Shukor (Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, Faculty of Design and Architecture); Dr. Nor Azlina Abu Bakar and Ar. Dr. Athira Azmi (Department of Architecture); Ts. Dr. Rosalam Che Me (Department of Industrial Design); Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Aidi Hizami Alias (Faculty of Engineering).

A major highlight of the visit was the Policy Forum and Focus Group Discussion, titled “Advancing Sustainable Housing, Housing Settlements and Urban Development in BARMM through Research and Capacity Enhancement.” The UPM experts presented strategies grounded in transdisciplinary knowledge transfer, human-centered design, assistive technologies, landscape and spatial planning for health, industrialized green housing systems, and trauma-informed post-conflict redevelopment.

The delegation also visited two key housing initiatives: the Banubo Resettlement Housing Project for former MILF combatants and internally displaced persons, and the SALAM Homes project for low-income government employees. The site visits provided valuable insights into MHSD’s evolving strategies for inclusive housing delivery.

UPM proposed a three-year roadmap to guide future collaborations. Year 1 will prioritize strategic planning, formalizing the MoU, and pilot housing development. Year 2 will expand knowledge building through on-ground implementation and postgraduate research. Year 3 will focus on innovation scaling and commercialization of successful models. Several MHSD officers are expected to pursue postgraduate studies under UPM’s supervision as part of this joint capacity-building initiative.

Crucially, six core values were co-developed during the focus group discussions: disaster-resilient housing, adaptable water-settlement design, MADANI-aligned governance, accessibility and connectivity, sustainable quality of life, and rapid construction. These values are now underpinning a shared vision for human-centered, inclusive redevelopment in BARMM.

This research partnership showcases how transdisciplinary expertise and academic diplomacy led by the Faculty of Design and Architecture in helping shape real solutions for peace, healing, dignity, and resilience in fragile regions. With UPM’s commitment and BARMM’s bold leadership, this collaboration is expected to lay the groundwork for scalable, healing-oriented housing settlements that are both rooted in its local Bangsamoro identity and responsiveness to global sustainability goals.

UPM acknowledges the contributions of Action Caring Team (M) Berhad for introducing MHSD-BARMM to UPM in December 2023. The delegation thanks the NGO for connecting the project team to the important BARMM officials and agencies besides securing the safety of the delegates throughout the technical visit to Cotabato City.

Photos from Facebook page Ministry of Human Settlements and  Development BARRM

Date of Input: 07/10/2025 | Updated: 07/10/2025 | marini