CSUDI: A Low Carbon Urban Development Initiative in Uganda
PHOENIX is preparing the CSUDI (Climate Smart Urban Development Initiative) project with Groupe Huit. Developed by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) and supported by the French Development Agency and the African Development Bank, the objective of CSUDI is to create a low carbon urban development model, resilient to climate change, integrating nature-based solutions, for sustainable growth. The initiative seeks to demonstrate that it is possible to manage rapid urbanization in a way that respects people and the environment.
The context
The project targets the Nsimbe pilot area in Mpigi district. Covering 1,500 ha, it is part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), subject to rapid urbanization, on the Jinja-Kampala-Mpigi corridor. Its socio-economic diversity and preserved environment, including wetlands, make it a sensitive area.
Our role
PHOENIX intervenes on the economic and financial aspects by carrying out:
- a detailed economic analysis of the area and local economic conditions and identifying the potential for long-term sustainable development,
- an assessment of the fiscal and budgetary resources that can be mobilized for the project,
- the exploration of various options for contractual and financial arrangements for investments in infrastructure and urban development in the area,
- the development of a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) method for the project integrating the expected direct impacts and externalities.
The results
Based on a series of consultations and an in-depth analysis of the different possible scenarios, the urban project, designed for 140,000 inhabitants, focuses on sustainability and climate resilience. The project offers varied housing options, neighborhoods of different densities, and integrates nature-based solutions, low-carbon infrastructure and environmental preservation. It focuses on inclusiveness with affordable housing, social amenities and active community participation. The city’s design prioritises connectivity, soft mobility, proximity and economic vitality, ensuring long-term growth and resilience.
The CSUDI project represents an opportunity to demonstrate that urban development can be aligned with climate goals and that growing cities can be resilient to climate change while improving the quality of life of their residents.
The success of the project could have far-reaching implications for other parts of Uganda and beyond, setting a new standard for sustainable urbanisation.
