African cities are amongst the fastest growing in the world, with a projected growth rate of 2.5-3.5% per year between 2015 and 2055 (White et al, 2017). The growing population and the rapid urbanisation across the content is having detrimental impacts on the natural environment, which the majority of the continent still rely on heavily. The continued loss and degradation of natural assets and ecosystems across the continent, comes with direct and indirect environmental, economic and social costs. There are, however, opportunities to ensure that African cities develop in harmony with nature, whilst also protecting people and economies. Many African cities are looking to move towards adopting practices that restore and protect the natural environment, without compromising tangible environmental, economic and social benefits. This webinar looks at how are cities in Africa are responding to the urgent call by António Guterres (UN Secretary General) to reconcile with nature and to show ambition, stop the assault on our planet, and do what we need to do to guarantee the future of next generations.

The webinar will outline some of the challenges African cities face, whilst also showcasing how some cities have been establishing a more harmonious relationship between urban growth and the natural environment.