Kigali urban nursery: work in progress

In close partnership with local authorities, including the City of Kigali and community representatives, the Kigali UFI aims to develop infrastructure and facilities in three informal districts of the Rwandan capital: Kagugu, Nyakabanda and Rwezamenyo.

Its aim is to finance public spaces and community infrastructure, designed and built in collaboration with residents and urban stakeholders.

A feasibility study has already identified a number of priority social facilities and infrastructures. The initiatives planned include the creation of health centres, sports grounds, early childhood centres and libraries. Improvements to roads and paths are also planned.

By incorporating projects to restore wetlands and green corridors, the initiative is strengthening the resilience of neighbourhoods in the face of urban challenges and aims to protect the environment while improving the quality of life for residents.

The project, an integral part of the Kigali Informal Settlement Upgrading Project (KISUP), is part of a wider strategy to modernise Kigali's infrastructure, encouraging active citizen participation.

The informal districts of Rwezamenyo and Nyakabanda recently hosted an exploratory walk led by the project team. These visits provided an opportunity to talk directly with users about the existing infrastructure and to observe the sites where new public facilities will be built, with the aim of better meeting local needs.

At the same time, co-design workshops brought together the residents of Kagugu, Rwezamenyo and Nyakabanda. These participatory sessions were used to refine proposals for facilities such as water kiosks, taking into account the expectations shared during the initial consultations.

This participatory approach reflects the initiative's commitment to building an inclusive city where residents play a central role in transforming their environment.

UFI Kigali is being implemented by a consortium, led by Rwanda Women's Network (RWN), which will run the UFI activities in close collaboration with Bantu Studio (Bantu) and Espelia.

• Rwanda Women's Network (RWN), a local organisation that promotes women's rights and encourages a more egalitarian society;
• Bantu Studio, a South African-based collaborative firm specialising in architecture and sustainable urban planning ;
• Espelia, a French consultancy specialising in the implementation of public projects in developing countries.