Nairobi set for new Sh672m urban greening initiative

Traffic snarl up at the Globe roundabout flyover of Thika super highway at Ngara, Nairobi. [File, Standard] A new $5.2 million (Sh672.6 million) project to help transform Nairobi City into a model for low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature-positive urban development has been launched. The project is a partnership between the Kenyan government, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat. Funded by a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant, the initiative is backed by up to $40 million (Sh5.2 billion) in future government investment, alongside $2 million (Sh258 million) in in-kind support and technical assistance from partners. The project aims to demonstrate how rapidly growing cities can reduce emissions, restore ecosystems and improve quality of life through integrated planning and investment. The five-year initiative, Supporting the Shift Towards Integrated, Low-Carbon and Nature-Positive Neighbourhoods in Nairobi, will pilot green neighbourhood approaches in Kamukunji, targeting improved living conditions for more than 85,000 residents while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring degraded ecosystems along the Nairobi River corridor. Implemented by UNEP and executed by UN-Habitat, the project will be led by the Nairobi City County Government, the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the Nairobi Rivers Commission, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach for sustainable urban transformation. The project was launched during the Global Forum for the GEF Integrated Programmes in Nairobi. "Cities account for nearly 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but they also hold the key to climate solutions," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. "Nairobi's growth presents both an opportunity and an imperative. This initiative shows how integrated, neighbourhood-level action can deliver cleaner air, restored ecosystems and better lives for urban residents while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future." As one of Africa's fastest-growing cities and a major economic hub in Eastern Africa, Nairobi faces mounting pressure on infrastructure, natural resources and essential services. The project responds to these challenges by promoting neighbourhood-level planning that integrates climate mitigation, ecosystem restoration and inclusive urban design, supported by innovative financing mechanisms. It is an example of integrated models for sustainable urban development that can be replicated across other cities in Kenya and the region. "This initiative reflects the GEF's commitment to supporting cities as critical drivers of global environmental solutions," said Claude Gascon, the GEF's interim CEO and director of strategy and operations. "By combining catalytic financing with integrated planning approaches, we are helping to unlock investments that deliver lasting benefits for nature and communities in rapidly growing urban areas." Rapid urbanisation is placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, ecosystems and essential services. Unplanned growth is contributing to environmental degradation, rising pollution and greater vulnerability to climate risks such as flooding and heatwaves, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable communities. "By 2050, two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities, making them critical to achieving global climate and sustainability goals," said Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of UN-Habitat. She added: "This project demonstrates how cities can lead with integrated planning, innovative design and targeted investment to deliver inclusive, resilient and thriving urban communities." The initiative focuses on strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, enhancing technical capacity, and developing digital planning tools and design guidelines to support climate-responsive and nature-positive urban development. In Kamukunji, community-led demonstration interventions will showcase practical solutions, including climate-resilient infrastructure, green public spaces, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, sustainable mobility and improved waste and resource management systems. A strong emphasis will also be placed on mobilising finance to scale impact. The project will identify investment opportunities, engage public and private partners, and develop incentive frameworks to replicate integrated green neighbourhoods across Nairobi and other cities. "This initiative reflects the government of Kenya's commitment to sustainable urban development that delivers for both people and the environment," said Alice Wahome, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya. "By strengthening planning systems and unlocking innovative financing and investment, we are building cities that are more inclusive, resilient and future-ready, with particular focus on the urban poor." The project is part of the GEF Sustainable Cities Integrated Program (SCIP), which is a global initiative supporting cities to advance integrated approaches to urban development that address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and urban vulnerability. Across more than 50 cities in over 20 countries, SCIP promotes coordinated investments and policy actions that link urban planning, climate action, nature-based solutions, and circular economy approaches. The Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) serves as the knowledge and coordination arm of SCIP. Led by the World Bank Group, GPSC brings together global partners-including UNEP, WRI, C40 Cities, and ICLEI-to support cities in translating integrated approaches into practice.

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