September 25, 2019–

The Global Green Growth Institute, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Housing Authority, local authorities, and other stakeholders collaborated on the assessment of public spaces in Rwanda’s secondary cities. The report titled “Mapping of Public Spaces to Inform Master Plan Review for Secondary Cities in Rwanda,” was developed after the mapping and assessment of 36 public spaces in six secondary cities in Rwanda, through citywide surveys that informed the revision of the master plans for Rwanda’s secondary cities with technical analysis of public spaces.

Due to recent rapid urbanization in Rwanda, public spaces are starting to have an increasingly important role in determining the quality of life. The report provides an assessment on the current “unplanned spaces” in Rwanda that have the potential to be turned into public spaces in Rwanda’s secondary cities.

Moreover, the assessment provides information on the necessary aspects for the design and implementation of public spaces, including street lighting, increased access for people living with disability (handrails, ramps, signs), and public toilets. The assessment also underlines the urgency of including public spaces in the green city and national planning agenda.

Beyond the assessment of public spaces in Rwanda’s six secondary cities, the report specifies initiatives by the Government of Rwanda and related stakeholders to improve public spaces and outlines the work on piloting the public space initiative in Nyagatare.

To read the full assessment, visit the following link: https://gggi.org/report/mapping-of-public-spaces-to-inform-master-plan-review-for-secondary-cities-in-rwanda/

The report was exhibited to the jury of the 28th International Urban Planning Exhibition from November 8 – 13, 2019 in Nis, Serbia and received the “Special Recognition” award from the jury.

Opening of the 28th International Urban Planning Exhibiion in Nis, Serbia © eKapija