NAbSA Dialogues | Green Infrastructures for Urban Resilience

Presentations given during the IUCN's fifth session of the NAbSA Dialogues series. The virtual event highlighted IISD’s Scaling Urban Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUNCASA) Project. The discussion explored how NbS and green infrastructure can help cities adapt to climate change, manage extreme weather, preserve biodiversity, and provide healthier living environments.

1. 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
2-3.30PM GMT |
10-11.30AM EDT
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NAbSA DIALOGUES - 5
Green infrastructures
for urban resilience

2. Audience
Reminders
Use Zoom Q&A to ask a question.
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and select your language.
Recording and slides will be shared
after the webinar.
Use Zoom chat for comments, reactions
and links.

3. NAbSA​ -
NAture-based
Solutions for
climate
Adaptation: ​
monitoring &
impact evaluation​
The WHAT and the HOW
Improve climate resilience and reduce poverty for
vulnerable communities in Sub Saharan Africa through:
Enhanced design and implementation of nature-based
measures
Increased evidence of biodiversity-climate nexus and
societal benefits
Adoption and scaling-up of nature-positive and gender
responsive adaption actions globally​

4. 30APRIL
THE IMPORTANCE OF
BIODIVERSITY
25
JUNE
GENDER PERSPECTIVES IN NBS
05SEPTEMBER
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
URBAN RESILIENCE
29OCTOBER
POLICY AND GOVERNANCE FOR
SUPPORTING NBS
28MAY
ECOSYSTEMS: EVALUTATION
AND CARTOGRAPHY
30JULY
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND
ALTERNATIVES ENHANCEMENTS
24SEPTEMBER
SAFEGUARDING COASTAL
COMMUNITIES WITH NATURE
26NOVEMBER
FINANCING NBS
A one year
journey
Be with us all year long

5. Speakers
ALEMAKEF TASSEW
World Resources Institute
(WRI)
NDIVILE MOKOENA
GenderCC South Africa
VEDASTE UWAYISENGA
City of Kigali
JANINA SCHNICK
Institute for Sustainable
Development (IISD)
TONY NELLO
IUCN

6. IUCN
Tony Nello, Senior Programme
Coordinator for Cities
Urban Team

7. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
Green Infrastructure for
urban resilience
Tony Nello
Senior Program coordinator, Urban

8. ‹#›
Building Momentum
Resolution on incorporating urban dimensions of conservation into the work of IUCN (WCC 2016
Res 029).​
Resolution for including subnational governments within IUCN’s membership (WCC 2020 Dec
138). ​
Nature 2030 IUCN Programme ‘Impact Target’ to ensure “Nature and people thrive in cities
while delivering solutions to urban challenges and a sustainable ecological footprint.” ​
Marseille Manifesto commitment “to expand universal access to high-quality green spaces and to
enhance urban biodiversity in 100 cities, representing around 100 million citizens by 2025, and
assessing their impact according to the IUCN Urban Nature Index[es]” 

9. ‹#›
IUCN Urban Toolbox and Urban Nature Indexes (UNI)

10. ‹#›
Upcoming:
Self assessment tool and recommended methodologies/good
practices for project developers to demonstrate compliance
with the IUCN Global NbS Standard criteria (8) and indicators
(28)
 Technical guidelines on urban NbS available in 2025 Q1
IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions
Towards NbS at Scale:10
case studies from China
(2023)
First assessment of NbS
in mediterranean urban
areas (2019)

11. ‹#›
Sub-Saharan African cities are severely exposed to both
excess and shortage of water, and need to address this
challenge through landscape approach at watershed level
Overall water risk
Riverine flood risk
Source: Aqueduct Water risk atlas – WRI,

12. ‹#›
Presenting to [prospect]
Text can be added to an image
on one or two lines
Credits: Image licensed by iStock to Russell Galt
Thank you!
For further information, please contact:
Tony Nello, IUCN Senior Programme Coordinator – Urban
[email protected] 
Loredana Scuto, IUCN Programme Officer – Urban
[email protected] 

13. SUNCASA
Janina Schnick, Project Lead
Institute for Sustainable Development
(IISD)

14. Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for
Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa
An Overview
Project partners
Funded by

15. SUNCASA seeks to use nature to enhance climate adaptation, gender equality, social
inclusion, and biodiversity protection in urban communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Budget: CA$28,7 million, funded by Global Affairs
Canada throught the Partnering for Climate Program
Duration: January 2024-March 2026 
Implemented by IISD and the World Resources
Institute, in collaboration with local organizations,
SUNCASA will benefit 2.2 million people living in high-
flood-risk areas —at least 50% of them women.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
The implementation of gender-
responsive NbS will strengthen the
resilience of urban communities,
watersheds, and biodiversity to the
impacts of climate change, while
reducing the barriers to NbS
participation of women and other
underrepresented groups.
Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Kigali, Rwanda
Johannesburg,
South Africa

16. SUNCASA Goals
Develop and implement gender-responsive nature-based
solutions (NbS) to restore and rehabilitate river catchments,
reducing flood risk and ensuring water security.
Promote gender equality and social inclusion, removing
barriers for women and underrepresented groups in climate
adaptation decision making, planning, delivery, and monitoring.
Build resilient livelihoods and protect local biodiversity.
Create green job opportunities.
Improve the well-being of communities by developing green
public spaces.

17. INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME
Reduced barriers to participation
of women and other
underrepresented groups in
planning, implementation, and
monitoring of NbS for climate
change adaptation in urban
communities.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME
Increased adoption of gender-
responsive NbS using watershed
conservation and restoration
practices to support flood control,
upstream and downstream water
security, gender equality, and
biodiversity protection in urban
communities.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME
Enhanced inclusive and gender-
responsive governance for
implementation of NbS for climate
adaptation by municipal officials
and local stakeholders in urban
communities.
ULTIMATE OUTCOME 1000
Enhanced climate adaptation, gender equality, and biodiversity protection in
urban communities in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa
Intermediate
Outcomes
Expected Outcomes

18. In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, SUNCASA will restore the Dechatu River catchment to
address flood risk, erosion, urban heat and water stress.
Approaches: Afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry for runoff management and generating livelihoods, and urban tree
planting to reduce flooding and heat impacts
Objectives: Reduce soil erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, develop buffer zones, and expand opportunities for
agroforestry, improving land productivity, crop yields and access to technology
Beneficiaries: 200,000 people living in flood-prone areas
Partners:
City of Dire Dawa
Hararghe Catholic
Secretariat
Haramaya University

19. In Kigali, Rwanda, SUNCASA will restore critical upstream micro-catchments in the
lower Nyabarongo River watershed to reduce flood risk, landslides, and soil erosion.
Approaches: Afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, urban tree planting, and establishment of vegetated buffer zones to
stabilize gullies
Objectives: Rehabilitate critical micro-catchments to enhance the resilience of high-risk households while controlling
encroachment
Beneficiaries: 975,000 people in Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, and Gasabo districts
Partners:
City of Kigali
ARCOS Network
Rwanda Young Water
Professionals
AVEGA AGAHOZO

20. In Johannesburg, South Africa, SUNCASA will support the revitalization of the Jukskei
River catchment, decreasing flooding, improving urban heat management, enhancing water
security, and protecting biodiversity.
Approaches: Removal of alien invasive species clogging the city's waterways, tree planting of indigenous species, and horticultural
activities
Objectives: Rehabilitate riverbanks, manage urban heat, boost water security, increase indigenous plants and expand green spaces
Beneficiaries: 1.045 million people along the Jukskei River in Johannesburg
Partners:
City of
Johannesburg GenderCC
Water
for the
Future
Alexandra
Water
Warriors
Joburg City Parks
& Zoos
Johannesburg
Inner City
Partnership
Zutari

21. Thank You!
For more information:
www.suncasa.org

22. Panel
Discussion

23. SUNCASA
Alemakef Tassew, Urban Development
Project Specialist / City Lead for Dire
Dawa, Ethiopia
World Resources Institute

24. Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for
Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Project partners
NAbSA Urban Resilience Dialogue
Sep 04,2024.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Funded by
Local Partners

25. Location and Demographics.
Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
•Administrative center of the Dire
Dawa Administrative Council
(DDAC)
•Urban population: Approximately
68% of the total population
(341,834)
•Geographic location: 515 km east
of Addis Ababa
SUNCASA: A Nature-Based Solution
Overall objective: Enhance resilience of
urban communities, watersheds, and
biodiversity
Approach: Based on three pivotal
assumptions:
•Enhanced understanding of gendered
impacts
•Local commitment to NbS
•Openness to gender-inclusive
governance

26. SUNCASA Goals
•Develop and implement gender-responsive nature-based
solutions (NbS) to restore and rehabilitate river catchments,
reducing flood risk and ensuring water security.
•Promote gender equality and social inclusion, removing
barriers for women and underrepresented groups in climate
adaptation decision making, planning, delivery, and
monitoring.
•Build resilient livelihoods and protect local biodiversity.
•Create green job opportunities.
•Improve the well-being of communities by developing green
public spaces.

27. Historical
Vulnerability to
Flash Floods
•Four rivers pass through the city, posing a high flood risk
•Devastating flood of 2006: Over 300 fatalities and extensive
damage
•Previous significant floods in 1981, 1994, and 2005

28. Challenges and Opportunities in Dire Dawa
❖Environmental Challenges: Degraded
ecosystem, unsustainable land use practices
❖Urbanization Challenges: Rapid growth,
infrastructure strain, disproportionate green space,
informal settlements, unemployment, improper waste
disposal
❖Opportunities: Nature-based solutions (NbS) for
climate adaptation, gender equality, social inclusion,
and biodiversity protection

29. SUNCASA Reach
Dire DawaKigali JohannesburgTotal
Citywide 546,387 1,3 million5,47 million7,586,387
Indirect beneficiaries
(People in the
catchment areas)
223,729 975,00 1,045 million2,243,729
Direct participants in
the project’s activities
3,500-4,00017,000 2,000 22,500
•Direct beneficiaries: Urban population,
rural farming population, rural landless
population, groundwater users
•Indirect beneficiaries: People in the
catchment areas
•Direct participants: 3,500-4,000
individuals

30. Gender Equality
The SUNCASA project aims to reduce barriers to the
participation of women and other underrepresented groups in
the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban NbS in
Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg
(South Africa).
The initiative will work to enhance community members'
understanding of the need for gender-responsive approaches to
NbS, particularly among men and decision-makers, facilitating
conversations around gender-based barriers, including social
norms and local power dynamics.
SUNCASA will also support the creation of more opportunities
to improve women's access to decision-making and build
capacity for their meaningful participation in NbS governance at
the local level.

31. In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, SUNCASA will restore the Dechatu River
catchment to address flood risk, erosion, and urban water stress.
•Over 200,000 people living in
flood-prone areas will benefit
from gender-responsive nature-
based solutions .
•The NbS implemented in
collaboration with local
organizations will reduce soil
erosion, enhance groundwater
recharge, buffer zone
development, and expand
opportunities for agroforestry,
improving land productivity,
crop yields and access to
technology.

32. Proposed interventions to mitigate flood risk and urban water stress are based on a December 2021 pre-
feasibility study (Dechatu River Climate Resilience Green Infrastructure Initiative Project Report, Haramaya
University) and include:
Key SUNCASA Activities in Dire Dawa
Key Activities Area of Land /haTrees to be planted
Afforestation 350 750,000.00
Agroforestry 385 420,000.00
Buffer zone 83 182,600.00
Urban Tree 10,000.00
Model Community green Space 200m2 2,500.00

33. Proposed interventions to mitigate flood risk and urban water stress are based on a December 2021 pre-
feasibility study (Dechatu River Climate Resilience Green Infrastructure Initiative Project Report, Haramaya
University) and include:
Conclusion
•SUNCASA will contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for Dire Dawa
•Nature-based solutions offer a holistic approach to addressing climate-related challenges

34. Thank You!
አመሰግናለሁ!

35. Gender CC SA
Ndivile Mokoena, Project Coordinator
Gender CC South Africa - Woman for
Climate Justice

36. City of Kigali
Vedaste Uwayisenga, Director of the
Construction Permitting One Stop
Centre Unit

37. Discussion &
Questions

38. Menti
ACCESS CODE: 1148 2344
https://www.menti.com/al5kzmvg7qe9

39. 30APRIL
THE IMPORTANCE OF
BIODIVERSITY
25
JUNE
GENDER PERSPECTIVES IN NBS
05SEPTEMBER
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
URBAN RESILIENCE
29OCTOBER
POLICY AND GOVERNANCE FOR
SUPPORTING NBS
28MAY
ECOSYSTEMS: EVALUTATION
AND CARTOGRAPHY
30JULY
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND
ALTERNATIVE ENHANCEMENTS
24SEPTEMBER
SAFEGUARDING COASTAL
COMMUNITIES WITH NATURE
26NOVEMBER
FINANCING NBS
A one year
journey
Be with us all year long

40. ©Humphrey Muleba
©IUCN ESARO
©IUCN
Thank you!
For questions, please email:
[email protected] &
[email protected]
More info: NAbSA website