Strategic Paper: Climate Infrastructure & City Governments

This strategic paper addresses the urgent need for African cities to confront the impacts of climate change on their urban infrastructure systems, despite not being the primary contributors to the climate crisis. It highlights the importance of understanding Africa's unique material and institutional dynamics in crafting effective responses. Development partners are called upon to revise existing climate intervention models, which often fail to account for Africa's realities. The challenge lies in overcoming the inertia of traditional infrastructure investment and local government capacity, which inadequately address climate risks. The paper proposes the establishment of 'city-labs' in African cities as inclusive platforms to develop solutions at the intersection of urban infrastructure development, climate resilience, and local governance. These labs aim to build necessary capacities, identify resources, and tackle critical challenges, ultimately fostering sustainable development in African cities.

Abstract based directly on source.