Towards more productive, livable and resilient to climate change African cities: the case of Bangui
In 2019, the African Development Bank launched the UMDF (Urban and Municipal Development Fund) trust fund to support sustainable, inclusive and resilient development of African cities.
The project appraisal methodology is deployed in four phases: (1) Initiation, (2) Action plan, (3) Investment preparation and (4) Implementation. Phase (2) consists of three crucial steps: (i) city profiling, (ii) strategy and prioritization, and (iii) Action plan. This involves carrying out a rapid diagnosis of the main challenges and issues of urban development, involving stakeholders in the development of a long-term vision and the definition of strategic objectives, then identifying, prioritizing and developing priority actions. The analysis is based on a grid of indicators which examines four main themes: i) the urban demographic and economic context, ii) the institutional framework, planning and urban governance, (iii) the performance of urban services, (iv) vulnerability and climate risks. A final synthetic action plan will constitute the basis for preparing investments.
After Conakry (Guinea), Libreville (Gabon) and Kisumu (Kenya), it was in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, that the Phoenix team stopped. Marked by several years of crisis, rapid and poorly controlled urban expansion and the deterioration of its infrastructure and urban services, Bangui faces major challenges. However, its strategic location along the Oubangui River and the development of structuring projects supported by international partners constitute notable opportunities.
Phoenix mobilizes its expertise on urban governance, municipal economics and finances as well as key urban services such as access to water, sanitation, electricity and telecommunications services, solid waste management and flood control.
Based on the analysis of relevant data, site visits, participatory workshops with city stakeholders, the final objective is to define a vision of overall development for the City, design a detailed action plan and identify a set of priority projects to submit for funding to international partners.
