Panelistas:

• Tony Nello (UICN)
• Janina Schnick (IISD)
• Alemakef Tassew (Instituto de Recursos Mundiales)
• Ndivile Mokoena (Gender CC Sudáfrica)
• Vedaste Uwayisenga (Ciudad de 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 Índice de Naturaleza Urbana de la UICN y el Caja de herramientas urbanas de la UICN, 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:

Es evidente que el desarrollo urbano es la mayor amenaza para la biodiversidad. Necesitamos trabajar en múltiples niveles de gobernanza e involucrar al sector privado y a la sociedad civil para abordar las presiones que enfrentan las ciudades.

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.

A través de SUNCASA, buscamos no solo restaurar ecosistemas, sino también mejorar los medios de vida, en particular de las mujeres, quienes se ven desproporcionadamente afectadas por el cambio climático. Las SbN ofrecen oportunidades para fortalecer la resiliencia, a la vez que crean empleos verdes y mejoran el bienestar comunitario.

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.

Las SbN funcionan mejor cuando las comunidades locales se apropian de ellas. En Dire Dawa, estamos viendo los impactos positivos de combinar la restauración ambiental con oportunidades económicas, donde las comunidades locales son tanto las protectoras como las beneficiarias de estas soluciones.

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.

Las mujeres en las ciudades africanas desempeñan un papel fundamental en la gestión de los recursos alimentarios, hídricos y energéticos; sin embargo, a menudo se ven excluidas de la toma de decisiones debido a barreras de género. Debemos garantizar que las mujeres y los grupos subrepresentados participen en el diseño e implementación de las SbN para construir ciudades más resilientes y equitativas.

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.

En Kigali, el paisaje es complejo, con valles montañosos y otras características topográficas. Pero mediante soluciones basadas en la naturaleza, estamos encontrando maneras de abordar estos problemas y mejorar la resiliencia urbana. El proyecto SUNCASA nos ayudará a restaurar zonas críticas río arriba y a proteger nuestra ciudad de los impactos climáticos.

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.