By 2050, 70% of the world population will live in cities. Rapid urbanisation, particularly in Africa and medium-sized towns, is placing urban issues at the heart of global challenges. Although cities occupy only 2% of the earth’s surface, they consume over 60% of the world’s energy.

The consequences of climate change are already being felt on the African continent, underlining the urgent need to adopt sustainable urban models. Crises and conflicts exacerbate this dynamic, with the majority of refugees and displaced people finding refuge in towns and their suburbs. As economic hubs and areas of diversity, cities are central to climate action and innovation. Citizen involvement is key to sustainable urban transitions.

Priorities

Enabel works with its partners to promote sustainable urban development, enabling everyone, especially young people, to thrive in towns and cities that meet their aspirations and actively participate in their co-construction. This approach to urban development is based on three main themes and two transversal approaches.

Green and circular cities: Enabel supports cities and regions in their urban planning by integrating aspects of the circular economy and green transition. This includes investing in resilient, low-carbon infrastructure, optimising municipal waste management systems and developing nature-based solutions such as green spaces and ecological corridors. The promotion of short distribution chains and local markets strengthens sustainable food production, while the creation of urban circular centres encourages innovation and employment.

Cities of refuge and resilience: Conflict and fragility are intensifying population displacements towards urban or peri-urban areas. Enabel is committed to developing structural responses centred on inclusion and social cohesion: This means inclusive urban planning, support for socio-economic initiatives and adapting public services and infrastructures to ensure equitable access for all. Citizen participation, dialogue and coordination between local players are essential for the social cohesion of communities and the resilience of the areas concerned.

Co-created cities: Enabel places citizen participation at the heart of the co-construction of urban services: We favour collaborative approaches and the use of digital technologies to enhance the transparency, accessibility and efficiency of public services. Particular attention is paid to involving young people and women in the decision-making process.

Gender transformative approach: Enabel is aware of the fundamental role played by women in making cities more inclusive and resilient. Enabel is focusing on three priorities: strengthening women’s leadership in local urban planning; supporting women’s economic empowerment, including in the informal and circular economy; and improving their access to basic services.

Integrated territorial approach: Enabel works alongside local players to promote the sustainable potential of cities and their ecosystems. Through joint projects, it enhances the assets of the cities, while strengthening the links between the cities and their hinterland. This approach encourages the development of dynamic urban networks and the structuring of development corridors.

Services

We work with our partners on a number of levels, offering them a comprehensive range of services tailored to their needs:

• Strategic and inclusive urban planning, including a spatial analysis of territories
• Support to the implementation and operation of local public sanitation and waste recovery services by mobilising the local private sector and civic commitment
• Support for innovation and job creation through Urban Living Labs promoting social innovations and socio-economic opportunities around solutions to urban challenges
• Support for green urban development projects
• Strengthening of urban governance and support of public-private partnerships in connection with the management of urban infrastructure and services and the development of local and regional economies
• Support local public consultation (urban walks, co-creation workshops, exchanges of practice) and improvement of local public policy coordination
• Action research on innovative urban planning and management practices with Belgian and African universities and institutes