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On September 4th and 5th, the Urban Action Lab at Makerere University, in collaboration with the LEARN network, hosted a Cross-City Dialogue in Kampala, Uganda. The event, titled “Resilient Urban Futures: Adapting Livelihoods to Climate Change,” brought together diverse stakeholders from across East Africa to address the pressing challenges of urban resilience in a region facing rapid urbanization and high climate vulnerability.

East Africa’s Urban and Climate Context

Just as the Great Rift Valley carves a distinctive path through the heart of East Africa, shaping its unique geography, so too do climate change and rapid urbanization sculpt the region’s urban landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities.

East Africa stands at the forefront of global climate vulnerability, with one-third of the world’s most vulnerable countries located in Eastern and Southern Africa (UNOCHA). The region has witnessed an increased incidence of extreme weather events, exemplified by the devastating floods that swept through Nairobi earlier this year, and other East African cities in recent years. Simultaneously, East Africa is experiencing one of the highest rates of urbanization globally, with Uganda and Burundi leading this trend with some of the fastest-growing urban populations in the world. This rapid growth, coupled with the region’s high vulnerability to climate change, presents unique challenges for urban resilience. The expansion of informal settlements at an unprecedented pace further complicates these challenges, as these areas are often the most exposed to climate-related risks such as flooding, drought, and heat waves.

The two-day dialogue, held at the historic Makerere University campus, built upon discussions initiated in the virtual Cross-City dialogue held in July. It served as a platform for in-person exchange of ideas on urban climate resilience strategies, attracting researchers, policymakers, and community leaders from various East African countries.

Event Structure and Key Discussions

“There is no single pathway towards resilience” – Dr. Michael Mbogga (Makerere University)

Dr. Michael Mbogga set the tone with a thought-provoking keynote presentation highlighting some of the unique attributes of East African cities and the related complexity of urban resilience. Dr. Mbogga emphasized the ambiguity in defining ‘urban’ in this context, noting, “The lack of a proper definition of what ‘urban’ is affects the allocation of and access to resources because cities in the making or cities of the future are easily overlooked.” His address underscored the intersectional nature of vulnerabilities in urban settings, involving interplay between social, economic, and physical factors.

The core of the workshop comprised group discussions focused on three key areas:

1. Physical Environment: Exploring how urban planning and infrastructure can adapt to climate challenges.
2. Economic Dynamics: Examining strategies for climate-resilient livelihoods and economic systems.
3. Social and Cultural Aspects: Discussing the role of community structures and cultural practices in building resilience.

These discussions were characterized by a collaborative spirit and a shared commitment to developing actionable solutions. Participants engaged in identifying specific vulnerabilities within each area and explored potential strategies for enhancing urban resilience in the face of climate change.

Community-Driven Approaches and Innovation

(Photo of him and Kisa)

A significant aspect of the dialogue was the inclusion of community voices. Centre for Community Initiative (CCI) Tanzania’s Dr. Tim Ndezi presented firsthand insights from community leaders, exemplifying the event’s aim to bridge academic research with on-the-ground experiences. Dr. Ndezi highlighted CCI’s work on Developing Risk Awareness through Joint Action (DARAJA) Project in enhancing the adaptive capacities of marginal urban communities through effective engagement with local authorities. He emphasized the importance of developing information and warning systems that enable residents to access crucial weather and climate information. This approach not only empowers communities to make informed decisions but also enhances their resilience to climate impacts. Importantly, this model has shown significant potential for scaling up, having been successfully applied in various cities across Tanzania.

Dr. Ndezi underscored that these community-driven initiatives are central to CCI’s broader mission of transforming cities. By prioritizing their own demands and articulating their aspirations, underserved urban communities become critical actors in urban development, driving meaningful change and ensuring that their needs are addressed in resilience planning. The participation of community researchers, including some affiliated with the LEARN network, further ensured that diverse knowledge and ways of knowing informed the discussions. This integration of community perspectives added valuable context to the dialogue, demonstrating the importance of inclusive approaches in addressing urban challenges, particularly in the context of informal settlements where traditional top-down approaches often fall short.

On the second day, Prof. Shuaib Lwasa from the Urban Action Lab and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS-EUR) delivered remarks that challenged conventional thinking about urban resilience. Prof. Lwasa emphasized the need to move away from externally determined indicators and metrics of success in resilience and adaptation efforts. He argued for a paradigm shift that recognizes and values local and community knowledge in assessing and building urban resilience. This perspective set the stage for a broader discussion on the importance of community voices and local expertise in addressing urban challenges, particularly in the context of informal settlements where traditional top-down approaches often fall short.

Regional Collaboration and Future Directions

The Cross-City Dialogue exemplified the power of inter-regional exchange in addressing shared urban resilience challenges. Representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi brought unique perspectives shaped by their local contexts, creating a rich tapestry of experiences and insights. This diversity of voices allowed for a nuanced exploration of urban resilience issues across East Africa, highlighting both common challenges and context-specific nuances.

The involvement of the LEARN network emphasized the dialogue’s goal of fostering regional knowledge exchange. This cross-city collaboration facilitated the identification of common challenges and the sharing of innovative approaches, fostering a sense of regional solidarity in addressing urban resilience.

The dialogue facilitated knowledge transfer not only between different cities and countries but also across various sectors. Academic researchers, community leaders, and policymakers found common ground, learning from each other’s approaches and methodologies. This cross-pollination of ideas led to innovative thinking about shared challenges and potential solutions.

By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the region, the event fostered a rich exchange of ideas, experiences, and innovative approaches. The dialogue’s emphasis on community-driven solutions and the integration of local knowledge with academic and policy perspectives set a new standard for inclusive urban resilience planning. As East African cities continue to grapple with rapid urbanization and increasing climate vulnerabilities, the insights and collaborations forged during this dialogue will play a crucial role in shaping future strategies. The event highlighted the importance of regional solidarity and cross-sector partnerships in developing effective, context-specific solutions to shared challenges.

Moving forward, the connections and ideas generated at this Cross-City Dialogue are expected to catalyze further collaborations and initiatives across East Africa. The emphasis on valuing local knowledge, challenging conventional metrics, and fostering inclusive approaches to urban resilience provides a strong foundation for future work in this critical field. The dialogue not only addressed current challenges but also set the stage for a more resilient and sustainable urban future in East Africa. As cities across the region continue to evolve and adapt, the principles and approaches discussed in Kampala will undoubtedly influence the way urban resilience is conceptualized and implemented in the years to come.

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