Centre on African Public Spaces

"Just green enough" is a strategy that "focuses explicitly on social justice and environmental goals as defined by local communities, those people who have been most negatively affected... with the goal of keeping those people in place to enjoy any environmental improvements" - this term arose in today's #AFUF2025 roundtable. Here's an article from 2021 for those of you who are new to the term. https://lnkd.in/de3f5pWC

SACRED GROUND: COMMON FUTURE Day 2 of #AFUF2025 features an important roundtable that brings together diverse stakeholders including government leaders, academics, traditional healers, artists, and activists to explore the systemic legacies that have shaped environmental access. These legacies have contributed to gentrification, spatial inequality, and the exclusion of marginalised communities from urban forests and green spaces. The discussion will include a focus on the role of urban forests in fostering social cohesion and collective well-being, providing a platform for multiple voices to address the unequal distribution of green spaces in African cities. Panellists will emphasise the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge and traditions into urban environmental and health strategies, while advocates for indigenous inclusion will highlight how land-based practices and deep ecological wisdom offer sustainable solutions for climate resilience and environmental justice. A key theme will be the recognition and integration of informality in African cities, acknowledging how community-led practices and informal settlements interact with urban forests in transformative ways. Additionally, the discussion will centre on the role of traditional healers and sacred natural sites—forests, rivers, and other ecologically significant landscapes—as integral to African cultural and spiritual heritage. The session will also explore how urban forests can serve as sources of economic empowerment, particularly for women and young people, by providing livelihoods and food security. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Dr Jessica Thorn, Lecturer at the University of Namibia and Imperial College London and will be live-streamed on https://lnkd.in/dene-pSR #AFUF2025 #Joburgreimagined #reimaginingJoburg #urbanAfrica #Greeningthefuture #communityled Kounkuey Design Initiative Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC)

Please join us in welcoming Dr Msizi Myeza, CEO of Council for the Built Environment and our 2nd keynote speaker for Day 2: Equitable Access, Health and Well-being. An expert in sustainable urban development, infrastructure planning, and governance, Dr Myeza’s #AFUF2025 address explores the critical role of play in urban environments and examines how urban forests and green spaces can be leveraged to enhance social inclusion, mental health, and overall community well-being. All #AFUF2025 keynotes and plenary sessions can be live streamed using this link: https://lnkd.in/dUQz3Bu3 #JoburgReimagined #UrbanAfrica #ReimaginingJoburg #communitydriven #cities4all

A warm welcome to Prof Tolullah Oni, Founder/CEO of UrbanBetter and our 1st keynote speaker for Day 2: Equitable Access, Health and Well-being. Tollulah’s global practice is grounded in a science-informed, Africa-led, participatory approach to generating new knowledge that supports partnership between science, policy and societal role players. Tollulah is passionate about identifying creative strategies to address complex urban population and planetary health challenges in rapidly growing cities globally. All keynotes and plenary sessions can be live streamed using this link: https://lnkd.in/dUQz3Bu3 #AFUF2025 #JoburgReimagined #UrbanAfrica #ReimaginingJoburg #communitydriven #urbanhealth

We are looking forward to an insightful second day of #AFUF2025! Welcome back to all our delegates – do join us online from 09h00 via our livestream link: https://lnkd.in/dene-pSR Themed: Equitable Access, Health, and Well-being, today’s sessions will dive deep into an exploration of the role of urban forests in enhancing public health, encouraging active lifestyles, and strengthening social cohesion. Keynote speakers will examine the intricate relationship between green spaces, health, and climate change in African cities, while discussing the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in urban greening. Insights will be drawn from urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture and property development to address structural inequalities. Day 2 features a roundtable discussion exploring the systemic legacies that have shaped environmental access and that have contributed to gentrification, spatial inequality, and the exclusion of marginalised communities from urban forests and green spaces. The roundtable will be moderated by Dr Jessica Thorn, Lecturer at the University of Namibia and Imperial College London and brings together government leaders, academics, traditional healers, artists, and activists to explore these legacies. The day’s programme also includes poster sessions and side events, exploring themes such as sustainable agriculture, innovative urban greening, and citizen science, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and collaborative learning. The day will conclude with an interactive cocktail reception, offering participants a chance to network and deepen conversations around urban greening and sustainability. Thanks to @ABSA for sponsoring this networking event. #AFUF2025 #Joburgreimagined #reimaginingJoburg #urbanAfrica #Greeningthefuture #communityled

More opportunities to connect! Do join us at the cocktail networking event this evening (19 March). #AFUF2025

So exciting to have so many of our Public Space partners and friends join the 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests. For those of you unable to make it to Johannesburg, all plenary and keynotes are being live streamed. Follow this link to participate in the Day2 livestream https://lnkd.in/dene-pSR and do join the conversation on #AFUF2025

We are delighted to be paying homage tonight to Amos Masondo and Wangari Maathai, two exceptional individuals whose legacies have profoundly influenced environmental advocacy and sustainable development on the continent.   Tonight’s reception dinner is hosted by Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). It will include a proud celebration of Amos Masondo, the award-winning Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg (2000-2011). The Greening Soweto Legacy Project led by him resulted in the planting of over 200,000 trees and revitalised parks in marginalised areas enhancing environmental health, economic opportunities, and community engagement. Thank you for inspiring us towards a greener, more equitable world. Follow this link to find out more: https://lnkd.in/dn45vcFs   This evening's dinner will also include a special tribute to the first African Nobel Prize winner: Wangari Maathai. Founder of the pioneering urban greening organisation: The Green Belt Movement, Wangari’s life mission has improved the lives of thousands of women and has to date resulted in the planting of over 51 million trees. We honour her legacy and all those who have and continue to heed her call to “embrace democratic governance, protect human rights and protect our environment.”  To learn more about Wangari Maathai follow this link: https://lnkd.in/d-dQmAfc  #AFUF2025 #Joburgreimagined #reimaginingJoburg #urbanAfrica #GreeningAfrica #Greeningthefuture #AfricanLegends #AfricanHeroes #TeamGBM #WangariMaathai City of Johannesburg FAO UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) UNHabitat.Afrique Centrale Wangari Maathai Foundation.  

Thank you to all who joined our livestreaming of Day 1: Climate-proofing African Cities on https://lnkd.in/dk6Bwy7z. We are coming to the close of the plenary sessions for #AFUF2025 Day 1 - here is an overview of the parallel and side sessions that will be taking place today. To find out more, download the programme here: https://afuf.co.za/ programme/ #joburgreimagined #reimaginingjoburg #forestday

#AFUF2025 - the 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests begins today with a compelling opening day focused on the critical role of urban forests in climate-proofing African cities. Day 1: Climate-Proofing African Cities All keynotes and plenary sessions will be live-streamed on youtube: https://lnkd.in/dk6Bwy7z The day kicks off with high-level opening remarks and a captivating artistic performance, setting the tone for a dialogue on resilience and sustainability. Keynote presentations and panel discussions will explore strategies to harness urban forests for climate mitigation and adaptation. A key highlight will be the high-level political dialogue hosted by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), examining how African cities can mobilise efforts for urban reforestation. Moderated by Mr. Mthobeli Kolisa, the session will interrogate strategies to enhance resilience against climate change, explore successful urban forest initiatives, interrogate the role of political leaders in mobilising city-wide re-forestation and consider the policies needed to support urban forestry. Discussions will focus on: - The role of urban forests in reducing heat islands, managing stormwater, and mitigating flooding. - Successful examples of urban greening initiatives and their impact on urban resilience. - Challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and strategies for overcoming them. - The role of political leadership in advancing city-wide reforestation efforts. - The long-term legacy of urban forestry initiatives for future generations. Breakout Sessions will dive deeper into innovative solutions for flood mitigation, carbon sequestration, and heat stress reduction. Discussions will spotlight indigenous restoration, urban biodiversity, and tackling ecosystem disservices, offering practical strategies for enhancing climate resilience through nature-based solutions. The day concludes with interactive side events, followed by a networking dinner honouring the legacies of renowned African environmental activists, Prof Wangari Maathai and Mr Amos Masondo. Follow the link to download the full programme: https://lnkd.in/dTWRYXbe #afuf2025 #JoburgReimagined #ReimaginingJoburg #UrbanAfrica #GreeningAfrica Congratulations to our co-organisers: City of Johannesburg, FAO and UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) A big thanks to all our local and international supporters: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) South African National Parks (SANParks) South African National Biodiversity Institute South African Cities Network World Resources Institute African Development Bank Group Wangari Maathai Foundation. WWF UrbanBetter Kounkuey Design Initiative Absa Group University of Namibia (UNAM) University of Johannesburg University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment - CAPSI