Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is experiencing rapid urban growth, expanding by approximately 2,000 people and five hectares daily. This expansion has led to significant challenges, including flooding, soil erosion, and increased temperatures due to the replacement of green spaces with concrete and metal structures.
The city's growth is largely informal, extending into areas lacking essential infrastructure such as drainage systems and solid waste management. Construction on unstable sandy soil exacerbates risks to homes and infrastructure. Urban heat poses another challenge, with city temperatures recorded up to 8°C higher than surrounding areas.
To address these issues, Kinshasa sought assistance from the City Climate Finance Gap Fund (the Gap Fund), a partnership between the World Bank and European Investment Bank. The Gap Fund provided $260,000 in technical assistance to explore nature-based solutions for urban climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and socio-economic benefits.
Government entities from Kinshasa collaborated with World Bank specialists and consultants from Groupe Huit, ARTER, and VSI Afrique to implement this initiative. The effort builds on previous projects funded by the World Bank’s Global Program on Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience at the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).
Using the World Bank’s Nature-based Solutions Opportunity Scan (NBSOS), a digital tool that analyzes geospatial data to identify suitable nature-based solutions, the team pinpointed specific interventions for Kinshasa. These included urban farming, terraces on slopes, and green corridors. Local knowledge from Ibi village residents was integrated into selecting appropriate plant species.
A 'Vegetation Atlas' was created to score plants based on their ability to mitigate floods, heatwaves, soil erosion while enhancing socio-economic development. This atlas informed a city-wide strategy for nature-based solutions with pilot projects in Kimwenza—a hilly area prone to soil erosion.
The pilot site in Kimwenza was divided into three zones—uphill, intermediate, and lower—with targeted solutions such as layered planting of local species on terraces and creating urban farms. Training was provided to university staff on implementation techniques which were then shared with local communities.
The Office for Roads and Drainage collaborated with Loyola University of Congo to develop complementary drainage solutions for Kimwenza. This work is expected to be completed in 2024.
The technical assistance from the Gap Fund has resulted in tangible outcomes:
- A nature-based solutions strategy informing Kinshasa's investment program.
- Identification of local investments worth $153 million.
- A shortlist of investments valued at $4 million prepared for further financing by the World Bank.
- Enhanced understanding among local and national governments regarding strategic investments in nature-based solutions.
Future efforts will focus on scaling up support to other sites facing similar challenges in Kinshasa. This initiative may serve as a model for cities globally seeking sustainable urban development strategies amid climate change challenges.
For more information about City Climate Finance Gap Fund projects visit their LinkedIn page.