Challenges for mainstreaming climate adaptation in African cities. A case study of Kigali, Rwanda

Cities in Africa are experiencing rapid urban and population growth. They are also among the most affected by global environmental challenges. The increasing frequency of extreme climate change events has significant implications and poses a serious challenge for policymakers to build resilient urban societies. In Africa, a considerable amount of effort has been invested in building a climate resilient society. This study made an assessment of current urban planning and development practices at the city level and evaluated their effectiveness in mainstreaming adaptation strategies to climate change. Based on our case study of the city of Kigali in Rwanda, we examined various urban development policies and plans. The study used an assessment framework developed by Kumar et al. (2015). This study revealed that out of the plans analyzed, only a fraction explicitly addressed climate change, with most lacking comprehensive climate adaptation measures. Our study further spotlighted Kigali's limited climate change awareness, analytical capacity, and resource allocation. This echoes a wider trend across African cities, which, despite experiencing climate risks, often overlook its integration into developmental plans. As the global conversation pivots to climate resilient planning and policies, the experiences and challenges of African cities emerge as invaluable. Their experiences highlight specific challenges and stress the need to modify development policies and planning practices with a strong focus on climate. Through this research, we echo the urgency to not only recognize but actively incorporate these vital African perspectives, mainstreaming climate efforts into local development ambitions.