Panelists:

• Tony Nello (IUCN)
• Janina Schnick (IISD)
• Alemakef Tassew (World Resources Institute)
• Ndivile Mokoena (Gender CC South Africa)
• Vedaste Uwayisenga (City of Kigali)

Tony opened the session by introducing the IUCN Urban Alliance and and the critical role Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can play in building urban resilience. He explained that IUCN has been increasingly involved in promoting NbS since 2016, particularly in urban landscapes, as the impacts of cities on biodiversity and climate are profound. Tony also highlighted the need for urban NbS tools, such as the IUCN Urban Nature Index and the IUCN Urban Toolbox, to guide cities in planning and implementing effective NbS projects. He emphasized the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackle urban climate challenges, stating:

“It is clear that city development is the greatest threat to biodiversity. We need to work across multiple levels of governance and involve the private sector and civil society to address the pressures cities face.”

Janina presented the SUNCASA project, a gender-responsive NbS initiative aimed at enhancing resilience through nature-based interventions in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa. Janina’s discussion highlighted how integrating gender-sensitive strategies into NbS projects can maximize the social and economic benefits, contributing to more resilient and inclusive urban environments. She outlined how the project uses NbS to address urban flooding, water security, and the promotion of gender equality. The project also focuses on empowering women and underrepresented groups, ensuring their participation in decision-making processes. She stressed the importance of aligning gender equality with climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that solutions benefit the most vulnerable groups.

“Through SUNCASA, we aim to not only restore ecosystems but also improve livelihoods, particularly for women who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. NbS offer opportunities to build resilience while creating green jobs and enhancing community well-being.”

Alemakef shared insights on Dire Dawa’s challenges with flash floods and water scarcity. The city’s rapid urbanization and degraded ecosystems exacerbate vulnerabilities. He provided further insights into the SUNCASA project in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, where the restoration of the Dechatu River catchment is central to addressing flood risks and water scarcity. He explained that afforestation, agroforestry, and urban tree planting are being used to reduce flooding and soil erosion, as well as to increase groundwater recharge. Alemakef highlighted the importance of community involvement, capacity-building efforts, and gender-inclusive governance in ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability. He also highlighted the project’s goal of improving land productivity and creating green jobs, particularly for women and youth in vulnerable areas.

“NbS work best when local communities take ownership of them. In Dire Dawa, we are seeing the positive impacts of combining environmental restoration with economic opportunities, where local communities are both the stewards and the beneficiaries of these solutions.”

Ndivile emphasized Johannesburg’s dual challenges of climate change impacts and urban migration pressures. Ndivile emphasized the critical role of gender equality and social inclusion in the successful implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). She explained that women in African cities are disproportionately responsible for managing natural resources, yet they face numerous barriers that prevent their full participation in climate adaptation efforts. Ndivile stressed the importance of integrating gender-responsive strategies into NbS projects, particularly in Johannesburg, where urban migration and rapid urbanization exacerbate climate vulnerabilities. She further explained that gender equality and social inclusion should be at the heart of NbS strategies, as this ensures that all vulnerable groups are considered, not just women and girls, but also other marginalized populations.

“Women in African cities play a key role in managing food, water, and energy resources, yet they are often excluded from decision-making due to gender-based barriers. We must ensure that women and underrepresented groups are included in the design and implementation of NbS to build more resilient and equitable cities.”

Vedaste Uwayisenga (City of Kigali):
Vedaste shared insights into how Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, is using green infrastructure to address climate challenges like flooding, landslides, and soil erosion. He explained that the city’s master plan now incorporates blue-green corridors and wetland restoration as key elements for improving urban resilience. Vedaste also highlighted the importance of green building compliance within the city’s planning, introducing regulations requiring 20% of residential plots to be permeable or green, which contributes to reducing impermeable surfaces and improving water management. He discussed the city’s efforts to restore previously developed wetlands and how the SUNCASA project is complementing these efforts by restoring upstream areas.

“In Kigali, the landscape is challenging, with hilly valleys and other topographical features. But through nature-based solutions, we are finding ways to tackle these issues and improve urban resilience. The SUNCASA project will help us restore critical upstream areas and protect our city from climate impacts.”

Conclusion

The NAbSA dialogue on “Green Infrastructure for Urban Resilience” illuminated the transformative potential of NbS in urban settings. Through the SUNCASA project, cities like Dire Dawa, Kigali, and Johannesburg are pioneering strategies that combine ecological restoration, gender equality, and inclusive governance. By addressing water resource management, flood mitigation, and biodiversity protection, NbS initiatives provide sustainable solutions to the growing challenges of urbanization and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. The session emphasized the importance of localized, community-driven approaches and collaborative partnerships to ensure resilient and equitable urban environments.

To explore further insights and examples of NbS in urban contexts, we encourage you to listen to the full recording of the dialogue.