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🏙️ Miji Bora – Better Cities for the Coast
“Miji Bora” (Swahili for “Better Cities”) is COMRED’s flagship initiative to help coastal cities, starting with Mombasa County, become resilient, inclusive and aligned with marine ecosystem health. The project was implemented through a cycle of assessment → planning → implementation → reflection, drawing on peer learning with cities like eThekwini (Durban), South Africa.
💡 Why It Matters
Coastal urban growth in Kenya brings opportunity and risk. From storm-surge vulnerability to informal settlements, waste-management strains and erosion of natural infrastructure, cities like Mombasa must align development with ecology. Miji Bora positions the city to integrate marine resource management, climate adaptation and inclusive urban planning closing the gap between “blue economy” aspirations and community futures.
⚙️ How It Works
- 🧭 Assessment & Learning Exchange: Conducting situational analyses, and peer-learning between Mombasa and eThekwini to benchmark urban processes.
- 🏗️ Co-Design & Institutional Strengthening: Working with the county government, communities and CBOs to draft policies (e.g., the Mombasa County Climate Change & Adaptation Policy) and develop institutional frameworks.
- 📊 Implementation & Monitoring: Deploying tools such as a Solid Waste Management Monitoring Information System, smart-city stakeholder forums, and multi-stakeholder dialogues to foster inclusive, data-driven decision-making.
The Impact
📈 Milestones & Impact
- 📄 Passed the Mombasa County Climate Change & Adaptation Policy 2021 and supported the enactment of the Climate Change Bill 2024. comred.or.ke
- 🗂️ Completed the Mombasa County Solid Waste Management Monitoring Information System, enabling real-time tracking of waste generation and disposal. comred.or.ke
- 👥 Established the Mombasa Smart & Sustainable City Stakeholder Forum with 5 technical working groups covering solid waste, transport, river management, natural capital, and urban planning & port development. comred.or.ke
- 🔍 Conducted a climate & ocean risk-vulnerability assessment for Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, plus a water-transport feasibility study for Mombasa. comred.or.ke
- 💡 Hosted 2 solid- & plastic-waste hackathons and 1 climathon, engaging 300 + young entrepreneurs.
In 2021
"COMRED fills a huge gap in the way conservation and sustainability initiatives are done within Mombasa county. They have created a platform where stakeholders can come together to effectively address various issues the city faces." - Alfred, Haller Park
"COMRED fills a huge gap in the way conservation and sustainability initiatives are done within Mombasa county. They have created a platform where stakeholders can come together to effectively address various issues the city faces." - Alfred, Haller Park
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Our annual newsletter highlights our program impacts and updates on livelihood and conservation activities and milestones.
