In the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, informal settlements present an unprecedented challenge to sustainable urban development. These densely populated areas often lack basic infrastructure, suffer from environmental degradation, and face multifaceted socioeconomic hardships, complicating efforts towards conventional urban upgrading. However, the tide might be turning through an innovative approach that harnesses the power of nature itself. Recent research by Gantner, published in the renowned journal npj Urban Sustainability, explores the transformative potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) in upgrading these informal settlements, offering new hope for ecological resilience, social equity, and enhanced urban livability across the region.
Informal settlements, commonly characterized by self-constructed housing on precarious land parcels, typically lack formal recognition and access to essential services. This has left millions vulnerable to environmental hazards such as flooding, landslides, and poor sanitation. Conventional upgrading strategies, often reliant on heavy infrastructure and financial influx, have fallen short of addressing the complex spatial and social dynamics encountered on the ground. Gantner’s research takes a pivotal step back from traditional engineering-heavy models, proposing a paradigm that integrates natural processes and ecosystems to alleviate urban pressures and empower local communities.
At the core of this work is the concept that nature-based solutions harness ecosystem functions to provide cost-effective, sustainable, and socially inclusive outcomes. Examples such as urban green spaces, restored wetlands, and permeable surfaces do more than beautify cities—they contribute to stormwater management, air purification, temperature regulation, and biodiversity preservation. In informal settlements where impervious surfaces dominate and drainage is often compromised, leveraging these natural functionalities could substantially mitigate environmental risks while fostering healthier habitats.
Gantner’s study meticulously evaluates how NBS can be tailored to the socio-ecological realities of Sub-Saharan African informal settlements. Unlike wealthier urban contexts where green infrastructure might integrate seamlessly, these communities grapple with rapid population growth, tenuous land tenure, and limited governance frameworks. The research posits that for NBS to succeed, they must be embedded within participatory planning processes, enabling residents to co-design and maintain nature-based interventions. This collaborative model not only ensures relevance and local ownership but also strengthens social capital, a crucial asset in vulnerable neighborhoods.
A transformative dimension underscored throughout the study is the intersectionality of NBS benefits. For instance, rehabilitating urban wetlands not only reduces flood risks but also provides water filtration, habitat restoration, and urban agriculture opportunities. This multifunctionality enhances food security, public health, and climate resilience simultaneously—key outcomes for informal settlements contending with intersecting vulnerabilities. The research advocates re-envisioning urban spaces as multifunctional landscapes that dissolve rigid infrastructural boundaries and embrace ecological complexity.
Furthermore, Gantner highlights innovations in low-cost and decentralized NBS technologies that are particularly suited for resource-constrained settings. Bioswales, vegetated terraces, and rain gardens utilizing native plant species offer affordable options that can be implemented incrementally. These solutions circumvent some of the logistical and financial barriers associated with large-scale municipal interventions, allowing communities to take immediate action. Evidence from pilot projects in select Sub-Saharan cities demonstrates promising results in stormwater retention and microclimate improvement, validating the approach’s practical applicability.
The policy implications of adopting nature-based solutions are profound. Urban planners and policymakers face the task of integrating these green infrastructures within broader city frameworks, zoning laws, and environmental regulations. Gantner’s research calls for adaptive governance models that recognize informal settlements as legitimate urban components deserving investment and support. This would require regulatory reforms that facilitate innovative land-use arrangements and incentivize community-led ecological restorations.
Critically, the research draws attention to potential challenges inhibiting widespread adoption of NBS in informal settlements. Barriers such as insecure land tenure, informal governance structures, and limited technical expertise risk undermining sustainability. Addressing these demands an intersectoral approach, combining urban planning, environmental science, social policy, and community engagement. Capacity-building initiatives and knowledge transfer platforms can play pivotal roles in bridging gaps between scientific innovation and grassroots implementation.
Climate change projections add urgency to the adoption of nature-based solutions in vulnerable urban environments. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience increased rainfall variability, prolonged droughts, and temperature extremes, exacerbating the already precarious living conditions in informal settlements. NBS, with their adaptive and regenerative characteristics, present a viable strategy to enhance resilience. Green infrastructure’s ability to store carbon, regulate microclimates, and buffer storm impacts aligns with climate adaptation and mitigation objectives on multiple scales.
From a socioeconomic perspective, nature-based upgrading efforts can catalyze livelihood opportunities by generating green jobs linked to ecosystem restoration, urban agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Gantner’s analysis suggests that integrating economic incentives with ecological interventions could stimulate local economies, reduce poverty, and improve health outcomes. The co-benefits extend beyond the environment, fostering inclusive urban development pathways that embed social justice principles.
Importantly, the study emphasizes the significance of knowledge exchange between local communities, scientists, and municipal authorities. Traditional ecological knowledge possessed by residents can enrich scientific understanding, ensuring the contextual relevance of NBS designs. In return, empirical research and technological advancements can empower communities with evidence-based strategies to safeguard their environments sustainably. This bidirectional flow of information forms the backbone of transformative, resilient urban upgrading.
Technology also plays a role in scaling nature-based solutions. Remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and data analytics enable detailed mapping of ecological vulnerabilities and monitoring of NBS performance. Mobile applications can facilitate community reporting and maintenance scheduling, enhancing real-time responsiveness. Gantner envisions a future where digital platforms integrate with green infrastructure to optimize resource allocation and track sustainability indicators within informal settlements.
Yet, the path forward requires strategic financing mechanisms tailored to the economic realities of Sub-Saharan Africa. Blended finance models, involving international donors, private investors, and local governments, could mobilize sustaining capital for NBS initiatives. The affordability and incremental scalability of many nature-based interventions align well with such diversified funding portfolios, encouraging long-term investments in urban resilience.
In conclusion, Gantner’s pioneering research in npj Urban Sustainability articulates a compelling vision wherein nature-based solutions become central to upgrading informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa. By embracing ecological processes, participatory governance, technological innovation, and social inclusivity, these strategies redefine urban sustainability in contexts too often marginalized. As cities in the Global South expand beyond traditional planning paradigms, NBS offer a blueprint for democratic, regenerative, and climate-resilient urban futures that empower citizens and nurture ecosystems alike.
The implications of this research are expansive, signaling a paradigm shift in sustainable urbanism that transcends region-specific challenges. Nature-based solutions, once regarded as supplementary, now emerge as indispensable pillars for equitable city development merging human well-being with planetary health. For informal settlements wrestling with rapid growth and climate uncertainty, these green infrastructures symbolize a hopeful synthesis—where nature and humanity co-create vibrant, sustainable habitats for generations to come.
Subject of Research: Nature-based solutions for upgrading informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa
Article Title: Exploring the potential of nature-based solutions in informal settlements upgrading: a transformative approach for Sub-Saharan Africa
Article References:
Gantner, G. Exploring the potential of nature-based solutions in informal settlements upgrading: a transformative approach for Sub-Saharan Africa. npj Urban Sustain 5, 74 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00258-0
Image Credits: AI Generated
