Water as Leverage, Nakuru

31/07/2026

🧽 Sponge cities absorb risk and restore balance.🏙️

Cities can’t keep paving over nature and expect resilience to follow. The sponge city approach offers an integrated solution — blending ecology, technology, and urban governance to reduce both flood and heat risks while improving quality of life.

🌿 How it works:
✔️ Unsealed surfaces and green roofs absorb stormwater
✔️ Retention basins and open watercourses reduce flood peaks
✔️ Vegetation and flowing water cool urban heat islands and recharge groundwater

These nature-based measures also boost biodiversity, clean the air, and create spaces where people want to live.

To scale up impact, the sponge city principle must be embedded in urban planning, building codes, and financing frameworks, supported by national and local governments and designed with community participation.

🌱Explore sponge cities and other nature-based solutions ➡️ https://ow.ly/ZvLa50X7B2F

17/05/2026

Every backyard fruit tree adds beauty, freshness, and seasonal harvests to life.

17/05/2026

Lake Nakuru continues to remind us that water affects much more than access alone. It shapes infrastructure, livelihoods, conservation, tourism, and the future of our cities. 💧

New powerline being installed inside Lake Nakuru National park after the other one was submerged due to the rising waters of Lake Nakuru.

17/05/2026

Smart planning protects trees while improving transportation and public comfort.

29/04/2026

🌿 Bioswales: Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Cities 🌿

As cities grow, managing stormwater effectively becomes crucial. Bioswales are a smart, sustainable way to handle rainwater while enhancing urban spaces. These vegetated channels:

✅ Reduce Flooding by slowing and absorbing runoff
✅ Filter Pollutants before they reach water sources
✅ Support Biodiversity with native plants and green corridors
✅ Enhance Public Spaces by integrating greenery into streetscapes

By incorporating bioswales into urban planning, we create resilient, livable, and climate-adaptive cities. 🌱🚶‍♂️ Let’s design with nature!

29/04/2026

💧 Could our cities handle rain like nature does?

Rain shouldn’t be a problem, but in most cities, it is.

Concrete streets rush water into drains. Systems overflow. Flooding follows. And we keep building the same way.

There’s a smarter approach: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

1. They stop floods before they start

By holding and slowing rainwater, SuDS reduce pressure on drainage systems when it matters most.

2. They clean water as it moves

Soil and plants filter out pollutants—turning runoff into a resource, not a risk.

3. They build climate resilience

As storms intensify, SuDS help cities adapt without relying solely on expensive grey infrastructure.

4. They bring nature back into cities

Green roofs, rain gardens, and wetlands create space for biodiversity to thrive.

5. They cool the urban heat

Vegetation lowers temperatures, making streets more comfortable and liveable.

6. They make cities more human

Beautiful, green spaces replace sterile concrete - improving wellbeing and everyday experience.

7. They save money long-term

Flexible, scalable, and often cheaper to maintain than traditional drainage systems.

SuDS work with nature, not against it.

Slowing down the water cycle is one of the best things we can do for the resilience of our cities in the coming years.

Let it soak in. Clean it naturally. Reuse it where possible.

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Join us at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13)- where global leaders, urban planners, and communities converge to co-create inclusive, safe, and resilient cities for everyone.

To register, search "World Urban Forum" or visit wuf.unhabitat.org

26/04/2026

Across Vietnam, market roofs are being transformed into living green spaces where herbs and small plants grow above busy stalls. Instead of bare metal sheets that trap heat, these planted roofs create a natural layer that shades both shoppers and vendors throughout the day.

The herbs act as a cooling system. By absorbing sunlight and releasing moisture, they help lower temperatures below, keeping produce fresher for longer and making the market environment more comfortable. In crowded areas near schools, markets, and apartment blocks, this simple change reduces the intensity of summer heat in a noticeable way.

Beyond comfort, these green roofs bring additional value. They can be harvested for fresh herbs, add greenery to dense urban spaces, and improve air quality in their surroundings. What was once just a protective cover becomes something productive and alive — showing how everyday structures can be reimagined to support both people and the environment.

25/04/2026

Along rivers in Switzerland, what may look like randomly scattered stones are actually placed with careful intention. These rocks are arranged strategically to slow the movement of water, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when river levels can rise quickly.

By disrupting the flow, the stones reduce the speed and force of the current, helping water spread more evenly instead of rushing downstream all at once. This lowers the risk of sudden surges and gives the river more time to handle increased volumes naturally.

It’s a simple, nature-inspired approach that works with the landscape rather than against it. Without relying on large structures, these small interventions help manage water flow more gently — showing how thoughtful placement can quietly reduce flood impact while preserving the river’s natural character.