Greening Dar es Salaam: Nature Based Solutions for Resilient Urban Growth and Climate Change Adaptation

As Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital city, is predicted to double its population by the year 2050, it faces imminent challenges that could escalate due to increasing risks of flooding, urban heat waves, land degradation, and soil erosion. Recognizing this critical juncture in growth dynamics, Arup was engaged for a comprehensive study med at assessing how nature-based solutions can d the city's resilience agnst climate change impacts.

In collaboration with the Tanzanian Government, The World Bank, and specialized local partners, our team med to quantify the benefits of implementing nature-based interventions over traditional grey infrastructure. This research encompassed an analysis of existing land use patterns to estimate future possibilities for greening initiatives across Dar es Salaam. Results revealed that incorporating greening strategies by 2030 could store up to seven hundred and thirty thousand cubic meters of rnfall in soils, which could significantly augment groundwater replenishment, soil health restoration, and promote urban agriculture.

Utilizing geospatial data, our team provided spatial projections for the city's urbanization pattern through maps that depicted changes over time. This visual narrative enabled identification of prime locations for city-wide greening initiatives across new developments and infrastructure. Based on suitability assessments for each of Dar es Salaam’s seventeen dominant land types, we proposed nature-based solutions to mitigate specific challenges facing the city.

Nature-Based Flood Risk Reduction:

The city's frequent heavy rnfall and flooding incidents severely impact livelihoods, infrastructures, and dly operations of its residents. The study considered a range of nature-based solutions - such as rn gardens, roadside drnage systems, tree planting – med at increasing water infiltration capacity and enhancing subsurface water storage capabilities.

Combined efforts in this domn could significantly alleviate flood risks across Dar es Salaam, safeguarding homes from inundation, protecting critical facilities like hospitals and schools. By implementing these nature-based interventions, an estimated 17,000 buildings could be protected agnst flooding by the year 2030, thereby greatly enhancing community welfare in flood-prone areas.

Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect:

Today's Dar es Salaam experiences average temperatures of approximately 29°C and maximums up to 37°C under current climate conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate these conditions as urbanization proceeds. The urban heat island UHI effect, characterized by warmer city temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas, poses significant health risks.

Our research highlighted that a widespread implementation of greening interventions across the city could mitigate r temperatures by up to 5°C. By reducing urban canopy cover and promoting green spaces, Dar es Salaam can mitigate UHI effects, thereby providing cooler r conditions for its residents.

Mitigating Environmental Degradation:

Growth pressures in Dar es Salaam have led to sedimentary issues due to land degradation, with approximately one million tons of sedimentation occurring annually. Tree planting and other greening initiatives offer a viable solution; around 1.182 million new trees could be planted by the year 2030, thus contributing to CO2 emissions reduction while improving r quality.

Future greening approaches would connect existing green spaces and water bodies, particularly major river channels, fostering biodiversity within Dar es Salaam's urban ecosystem. A greener cityscape promises additional quality-of-life benefits for all its residents, including improved r quality, clean water sources, and healthier soil conditions.

Financial Implications:

Funded by the Tanzania Urban Resilience Program TURP – a UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office program managed by The World Bank, alongside the Quality Infrastructure Investment Partnership backed by the Government of Japan - these findings are now being integrated into World Bank-funded infrastructure projects in Dar es Salaam. This strategic alignment will contribute to creating a more resilient urban environment for its inhabitants.

Collaborative Partnerships:

Kounkuey Design Initiative, Institute of Resource Assessment at University of Dar es Salaam, Kisasa Environmental, Social and Governance Consultants Ltd., AGS Ekology Ltd., and Fathom have collaborated in this comprehensive study. This partnership underscores the importance of interdisciplinary efforts towards urban resilience planning.

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The incorporation of nature-based solutions into infrastructure development not only enhances environmental sustnability but also promotes social well-being by mitigating climate change impacts, addressing UHI effects, and preserving natural ecosystems. These interventions offer a sustnable path forward for Dar es Salaam's ongoing growth trajectory while ensuring the city's resilience agnst future challenges.

Contact Information:

For discussions on collaborating with experts from Arup or sharing ideas about incorporating nature-based solutions into your projects, please visit our contact page to connect directly with one of our climate specialists. Together, we can shape a better world for future generations.
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