Governor Evans Kidero has announced that 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) and the Rockefeller Foundation have selected Nairobi as one of the cities that will join the 100RC network in building urban resilience.
As a member of the network, Nairobi will gain access to tools, funding, technical expertise, amongst other resources that will help build resilience to challenges faced in this century.
Speaking during the announcement, the 100RC president Michael Berkowitz said he was proud to bring Nairobi to the network.
‘‘We selected Nairobi as a prominent economic and political capital in East Africa and beyond. Faced with challenges like flooding, aging infrastructure, terrorism and informal settlements,’’ he said.
Nairobi has expressed willingness in terms of innovative solutions and Berkowitz said he is looking forward to working together with the city in the years to come.
“For us, a resilient city has a good emergency response and meets its citizens’ needs. It also has diverse economies and takes care of both its built and natural infrastructure. It has effective leadership, empowered stakeholders, and an integrated planning system. All of those things are essential for a resilient city,” stated Berkowitz.
This year, the challenge has been highly competitive as compared to the previous challenges, spanning over 90 countries across six continents.
Nairobi was chosen from more than 325 applicants on the basis of their willingness, ability, and need to become resilient in the face of future challenges.
The application process showed each city’s unique vision for resilience, a long-term commitment to building resilience in a way that connects silos of government and sectors of society, and specific attention to the needs of poor and vulnerable citizens.