Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is taking significant steps to build a more sustainable and livable future for its residents in the face of climate threats. This article discusses the importance of evidence-based strategies for transport, flood-mitigation and other forms of urban infrastructure to climate resilience.
Like many other developing nations, Uganda is experiencing the profound effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and frequent extreme weather events pose significant threats to the country’s infrastructure, especially in urban areas.
For example, Kampala experiences severe flooding due to heavy rains, which damages roads, disrupts transportation, and causes significant economic losses. Research shows that a lack of climate-resilient infrastructure exacerbates the situation as urban drainage systems and roads, built for more stable weather conditions, are increasingly overwhelmed. Without substantial investment in adaptive infrastructure, the economic and social impacts of climate change in Uganda’s urban areas are expected to worsen in the coming years.
Kampala serves as a vital case study demonstrating how integrating climate resilience into urban planning and transportation systems can help cities adapt to these challenges. This article explores the evidence-based strategies that are building climate resilience in Kampala.
The role of urban planning in building climate resilience
Research consistently highlights that urban planning plays a critical role in enhancing a city’s resilience to climate shocks. In the face of escalating climate change challenges, the role of urban planning in mitigating its impacts has become increasingly crucial.
Effective urban planning plays a pivotal role in enhancing a city’s capacity to withstand and respond to the adverse effects of climate change. It promotes sustainable land use, enhances green infrastructure (valuable natural areas that support society), and incorporates climate-sensitive designs to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events and long-term climate change impacts. For instance, compact city models can minimize urban sprawl and reduce carbon emissions, while investment in resilient infrastructure, such as flood management systems and heat-resistant materials, can mitigate the effects of rising temperatures and flooding.
Effective urban planning strategies incorporate flood management, sustainable transportation, and resilient infrastructure, such as improved drainage systems, flood resilient housing and eco-friendly public transport. Furthermore, participatory planning processes that involve local communities ensure that climate resilience measures address socio-economic disparities to enhance inclusivity and equity in adaptation efforts.
Thus, urban planning serves as a fundamental tool for cities to thrive under changing climatic conditions. Kampala has implemented several urban planning initiatives to enhance climate resilience, guided by the Kampala Climate Change Action Strategy, which emphasizes low emissions and sustainable urban development.
The city has focused on creating green infrastructure through an Urban Green Infrastructure Ordinance and urban forestry management, to increase biodiversity and reduce urban heat. Flood management and waste infrastructure improvements, supported by funding from the World Bank and the French Development Agency, address vulnerabilities including flooding and poor waste disposal.
Additionally, community-based resilience efforts, in partnership with organizations like ACTogether Uganda, strengthen the adaptive capacity in informal settlements. These integrated measures aim to create a more climate-resilient and inclusive urban environment.
Transportation as a key element of climate resilience
Transportation is a critical component of climate resilience in Kampala, influencing both the city’s vulnerability to climate impacts and its capacity to adapt. The transport sector is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases and a major contributor to climate change. Recognizing this, the Kampala Capital City Authority has initiated projects, including “Developing and Sharing the Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Kampala”, which aim to mainstream sustainable energy and climate change considerations into urban development.
Additionally, the refurbishment of the Kampala-Malaba Metre-Gauge Railway, supported by the Global Center on Adaptation, focuses on climate-proofing critical transport infrastructure to reduce climate risks.
Kampala also plans to introduce a (Bus Rapid Transit) BRT system, aiming to lower traffic congestion and improve air quality. If successfully implemented, it could reduce congestion by 20%, while also bringing down emissions.
Flood management and resilient infrastructure
Kampala’s vulnerability to climate change-induced flooding is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and insufficient drainage systems.
Flood management and resilient infrastructure play a crucial role in enhancing climate resilience by reducing the flood risks posed by extreme weather.
These systems, including drainage networks, retention basins, and flood barriers, help protect lives and property while maintaining the functionality of essential services, such as transportation and energy, during disruptions.
Resilient infrastructure minimizes long-term economic costs by reducing recovery and rehabilitation expenses, and often incorporates nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, to absorb excess water and preserve urban biodiversity. Furthermore, prioritizing flood-prone and vulnerable communities supports inclusive and sustainable urban development (IPCC, 2022).
The Kampala Capital City Authority has developed structural solutions, such as rehabilitating and expanding stormwater drainage networks, including the Nakivubo Channel, to mitigate flood risks. Nature-based solutions, such as Lubigi – a restored degraded wetland – enhances floodwater absorption. Collaborations with international agencies, including the World Bank, have facilitated investments in resilient urban infrastructure to improve drainage, reduce road damage, and have enhanced the city’s adaptive capacity.
Elsewhere, the New Mulago Interchange features advanced drainage systems designed to manage heavy rainfalls. Evidence from research on other African cities, such as Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, indicate that such investments in resilient infrastructure can significantly reduce the economic and social disruptions caused by extreme weather events.
By prioritizing flood management in its planning, Kampala is taking important steps toward reducing its climate vulnerability.
Green infrastructure and building regulations
Incorporating green spaces, such as parks, into urban planning is another evidence-based strategy that enhances climate resilience. According to research from UN-Habitat, cities with green infrastructure experience reduced urban heat islands, improved air quality, and better stormwater management. These benefits are crucial for fast-growing cities like Kampala, where the expansion of informal settlements and the loss of green spaces have exacerbated vulnerability to climate impacts.
Kampala’s City Master Plan includes regulations for energy-efficient and weather-resilient buildings. These regulations, supported by research from African cities like Nairobi, Kenya, help reduce the overall carbon footprint of urban areas and make buildings more resistant to extreme weather conditions. Integrating energy-efficient buildings into city planning can reduce a city’s exposure to climate risks by up to 15%. [TK1] In this context, green infrastructure and building regulations are not just an environmental imperative but a necessary adaptation strategy.
Conclusion
Kampala’s approach of integrating climate resilience into its urban planning and transportation systems offers important insights into how African cities can adapt to the challenges of climate change. By focusing on evidence-based strategies, such as improving public transportation, investing in flood-resilient infrastructure, and enforcing green building regulations, Kampala is building a more sustainable and liveable future for its residents.
As the city continues to expand, the importance of research-driven urban planning will only grow, ensuring that Kampala is well-prepared to face the climate challenges of the future.
