Urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa

TLDR

Africa is rapidly urbanizing, and green infrastructure can deliver multiple ecosystem services to benefit its urban populations. The review aims to consolidate research on urban green infrastructure and its ecosystem services in sub‑Saharan African cities to support planning for the region’s rapid urban growth and Sustainable Development Goals. The authors reviewed 68 papers covering 74 urban areas across 20 sub‑Saharan African countries. Only 38 % of sub‑Saharan countries had any research; regulating and provisioning services were most studied, while supporting and cultural services were under‑researched, and seven barrier categories were identified that must be addressed for sustainable ecosystem service delivery.

Abstract

Africa is urbanizing at an astonishing rate. To meet many of the Sustainable Development Goals there will be a requirement for cities in sub-Saharan Africa to plan for, and manage, the rapid rise in the urban population. Green infrastructure has the potential to provide multiple ecosystem services to benefit the urban population. The general objective of this review is to consolidate research undertaken on urban green infrastructure and the associated ecosystem services in sub-Saharan African cities. The 68 reviewed papers spanned 20 countries and included 74 urban areas. However, only 38% of sub-Saharan countries had any research carried out in them. The most represented ecosystem services were regulating and provisioning, with supporting services getting the least attention. Overall there was a lack of in-depth studies on all ecosystem services, especially supporting and cultural services. Seven overarching categories of barriers and challenges to the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services emerged from the reviewed papers, namely: (i) socio-cultural values, traditions and perceptions; (ii) lack of capacity; (iii) governance, urban planning and social inequality; (iv) lack of data and/or case studies; (v) ecosystem disservices; (vi) spatial trade-offs and conflicts; (vii) climate change. These barriers we identified will need to be addressed if the future, long-term sustainable provision of ecosystem services in sub-Saharan African cities is to be assured.