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Kigali in plan to absorb shocks, accelerate growth

Friday April 10 2015
Kigali

The capital city is among cities that are poised to benefit from Rockefeller Foundation’s resilient cities. PHOTO | FILE

Kigali City is developing a comprehensive resilience plan that will help it absorb shocks, adapt and grow after stresses like other cities in the world.

Terrorism is one of the threats analysts have identified as threats that Kigali must be prepared to handle as it implements its master plan.

The network of 100 Resilient Cities, which is being supported by Rockefeller Foundation, is expected to link Kigali to experts in different areas, financiers and investors as the city adopts innovative development approaches.

For instance, Microsoft Corporation is among the 100 resilient cities’ partners helping the cities build cyber security strategies and combat online threats.

“Terrorism is a global threat. We want to prepare Kigali cope with terrorism,” said Michael Berkowitz, president of 100 Resilient Cities.

In the East African Community, Kenya is the latest state to be attacked by terrorists. Earlier in 2010, Uganda fell victim, losing 69 people who were watching a World Cup march at Kyadondo Rugby Club and before that, Tanzania had also suffered the attacks.

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The Rwf103 billion programme pioneered by Rockefeller Foundation helps selected cities to address threats and stresses occasioned by human beings or natural calamities.

Mayor of Kigali Fidele Ndayisaba pointed out: “We are looking forward to building a more resilient city and we believe the partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities programme will help kick start this process. It is an opportunity for us to be part of the worldwide network that seeks to develop more resilient cities.”

Shortage of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure and gaps in environmental protection have to be jointly addressed by Kigali and the network of experts the 100 Resilient Cities programme will bring on board.

The programme will also help Kigali to get solutions to energy shortages, flooding and threat of epidemic disease. As part of the package to make Kigali a resilient city, a chief resilience officer will be hired to lead the city’s resilience efforts as part of the financial and logistical guidance.

Analysts said the living conditions in city slums are appalling as many dwellers do cannot access affordable clean water.

Kigali is also prone to floods and landslides that lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties. Latest information from the Ministry Disaster indicates that about 60 per cent of the city is prone to flooding.

In 2013 In Remera Sector, about 25 families lost shelter in Nyabisindu Cell and about 15 households in Gasata were displaced by floods.

Besides, some households that built on mountain slopes are also exposed to landslides. These areas include Kimisagara and Gasata.

The spate of fires last year also exerted pressure on the city to come up with ways of rapid response in case a disaster strikes.

It is understood that police needs more funding to buy modern equipment and also increase its capacity to respond to fire and access the affected areas whenever strikes in Kigali.