A £6 million research initiative, Climate Change Resilient Equitable Healthy Cities in Africa (CLARITY-Africa), has been launched to address the pressing health and infrastructure challenges of climate change in African cities. Led by Imperial College London in collaboration with leading African institutions, the project aims to develop practical, equitable solutions to enhance resilience in urban centres across the continent.

Funded by Wellcome, CLARITY-Africa will focus on four cities with diverse climatic and urban characteristics: Accra and Tamale in Ghana, and Kigali and Musanze in Rwanda. These cities are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts, which are growing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.

The project’s scope spans a wide range of issues, analyzing the impact of extreme weather on public health, infrastructure, sanitation, education, and industries. Vulnerable groups, such as outdoor workers and schoolchildren, are a key focus, as they face significant risks from rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns.

The research team will collect detailed data on temperature variations, water quality, and sanitation systems using cutting-edge tools like satellite imaging, environmental sensors, and community surveys. These findings will inform practical interventions to mitigate climate-related challenges.

“The challenges posed by climate change in African cities are complex, affecting physical health, mental well-being, and economic livelihoods,” said Professor Majid Ezzati, Academic Director of Imperial Global Ghana and project lead. “CLARITY-Africa will develop equitable solutions to protect vulnerable populations and create sustainable urban systems.”

One of the initiative’s key goals is to shape urban planning and policy. The research could inform the design of climate-resilient school buildings, improve working conditions for outdoor laborers, and guide city governments in adopting sustainable development strategies.

Building on earlier successes, such as Accra’s status as the African city with the highest density of air pollution sensors, the project will expand its use of advanced monitoring systems, including temperature and water sensors, to track climate impacts effectively.

CLARITY-Africa is a collaborative effort involving institutions such as the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI). By integrating local expertise, the initiative ensures its solutions are tailored to the specific needs of African communities.

“Addressing climate change requires community-specific solutions,” emphasized Dr. Delali Dovie from the University of Ghana. “By involving local stakeholders, this project ensures that the outcomes will be both impactful and practical.”

The findings of CLARITY-Africa are expected to benefit not just the participating cities but also urban centres across Africa and beyond. As global cities grapple with the consequences of climate change, the lessons from this project could inform worldwide efforts to build healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient urban environments.

 

Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku

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https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/258873/major-research-project-boost-climate-change/