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Nature-based solutions: Opportunities & challenges for African cities
August 11, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Nature-based solutions (NBS) have gained traction globally as a way to address, or partially address, vexing urban issues such as urban heat, pollution and flooding. Despite limitations, NBS have become increasingly integrated into policies and strategies and reflected as part of an urban toolkit of interventions. NBS, as defined by the IUCN (2016) are “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g. climate change, food and water security) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.” (p.xii). While NBS have started to reflect in practice, there is confusion about the definition of NBS and its usefulness in the urban context.
This webinar addresses the issue of variable interpretations of NBS and presents the latest thinking on the interpretation of NBS. In addition, our interest is also in whether and how this concept and practice is finding application in African cities. The webinar will showcase some of the NBS tools and actual examples of NBS implementation that have been developed in a selection of African cities. Our invited speakers and panellists will discuss the application of NBS and related tools within an African context and some of the challenges that have been experienced along the way.
Speakers
Radhika Murti – IUCN – Director of Global Ecosystem Management Programme
Julia Wood – City of Cape Town – Manager of Biodiversity Management Branch
Pearl Gola – SANBI – Ecological Infrastructure Coordinator for the Greater uMngeni Catchment
Dr Patrick O’Farrell – Independent Researcher
Professor Alphonce Kyessi – Ardhi University – Associate Research Professor: Institute of Human Settlements Studies
Panellists
Ana Rocha – Nipe Fagio – Executive Director
Lunelle Serobatse – COJ – Director, Strategic Coordination
Chair
Ms Kobie Brand – Regional Director: ICLEI Africa
Moderator/Facilitator
Ingrid Coetzee – ICLEI Africa & ICLEI CBC – Senior Programme Manager