Green Cities: Kinyinya to Serve as a Model for Sustainable Urbanisation

Green City Kigali is set to set standards of sustainable urbanization in Kigali. Once fully implemented, the initiative has the potential to become a blueprint for other cities in Rwanda, in the region, or on the continent as City of Kigali Authorities announced during a press conference, explaining in detail some different priority projects for the next five years, with a view to achieving the Kigali City Master Plan which is from 2020 to 2050, where Kigali would be a completely green city.

The pilot project will be built in Kinyinya Sector in Gasabo District, known as Green City Kigali. This project will be focusing on several key areas as sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure, economic opportunities, to name a few, as announced in a press conference with the Kigali City Administration this September 3^rd 2024.

Kigali City Administration announced many development projects they are planning in the following five years, mostly the Green City Kigali; and ongoing campaigns aimed at enhancing life for Kigali residents.

The main purpose of Green City Kigali is to build a green city, with local eco-friendly materials, a place where houses can withstand climate change.

This pilot project will be built on an area of 600 hectares.

Kigali City Planning Director, Marie Solange Muhirwa said it would be a place where houses that can withstand climate change will be built, where local eco-friendly materials will be used in their construction.

“We want to have a city or an area where people can find everything they need, such as a school for children, a place to find a job, a place where a person can receive medical treatment, a place to do your shopping, etc… which you can find without traveling for more than 15 minutes.” She explained.

The Green City Kigali project will be carried out in Gasharu and Gitega districts, where it will be divided into 18 districts, each of which will have everything necessary, as cited above.

Muhirwa said this project would be built with low-income houses where everyone even low income and middle income population would feel welcomed.

“We want to build small houses and use the materials we find there, and these are houses that are linked to our culture.” She added.

The City of Kigali announces that the residents of Kinyinya will work on this project, especially those who have the capacity to build according to the master plan.

However, those who are not capable of building according to the project themselves will either sell to those who have the capacity to build according to the plan, work with investors for a solution that suits both, or get help with the Kigali City administration for further assistance. There would also be a way to start building with a small house according to their financial capacity to finish it later in years as their financial capacity grows.

Concerning infrastructure including schools, clinics, markets, playgrounds and other various community things, they will be built by the City of Kigali.

On other projects, the Kigali City plans to build 10,000 houses in the next five years, said Mayor Dusengiyumva Samuel, for people with low income to help them grow economically.

He said that it’s a project that has already started, Mpazi for example, where high-rise buildings would be constructed, which would help settle large numbers of people in small areas.

“We have a solid plan to develop housing that can allow low-income residents to find a place to expand their home or rent.” He highlighted.

Mayor Dusengiyumva said that in the coming years, infrastructure will continue to be built, including roads and other things that will help people.

“As the city grows, people need them more and more, we will continue to build them. This includes increasing the length of roads in partnership with the community.” He added.

Kigali City also has a project of planting more than 3 million trees in the next five years, which will make it possible to live in a more environmentally friendly way.

Other photos: (Photo credits: City of Kigali)