The GDAR Study Hosts Key Workshop to Enhance Urban Resilience

The Institute in partnership with the County Government of Kisumu’s Climate Change and Health Directorate, organized a one-day workshop to tackle the complex impacts of climate change, health, and urbanization on residents of the lakeside city of Kisumu and its environs. This initiative is part of the Global Diet and Activity Research (GDAR) Spaces project, which aims to understand how urban communities in Kisumu respond to climate change events and rapid urbanization.

The workshop, held recently at a Kisumu hotel, brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including health, gender, and food security. The forum served as a collaborative platform to discuss the effects of climate change-induced disruptions, focusing on floods and droughts.

Prof. Charles Obonyo, Lead Principal Investigator of the GDAR Spaces project, emphasized the importance of understanding the interplay between health, climate change, and urbanization in Kisumu using systems thinking methodology. “Our goal is to uncover how these factors influence health outcomes and overall urban resilience. By engaging with the community and stakeholders, we can develop targeted interventions that promote sustainable and healthy living environments,” he noted.

A significant area of focus during the forum was urban agriculture’s role in improving food security, promoting physical activity, and reducing non-communicable diseases. A representative from the county environment department highlighted that urban agriculture can enhance food security while encouraging physical activity and mitigating risk factors for non-communicable diseases. This integrated approach can lead to healthier and more resilient urban populations.

Early warning systems were identified as a critical strategy in preventing the adverse effects of floods on vulnerable communities. The forum highlighted the necessity of implementing robust early warning mechanisms to safeguard families in flood-prone areas. “The use of early warning systems is essential to prevent floods from devastating families and livelihoods. These systems enable timely evacuations and preparedness, reducing the overall impact of such events,” remarked one participant.

The forum also discussed various strategies communities deploy during climate change events and the factors that influence the success of these strategies. Participants concluded with a consensus on the importance of policy influence in shaping resilience strategies. They agreed that sound policies are crucial for driving sustainable coping mechanisms within urban populations. “Policy plays a pivotal role in guiding and supporting community resilience initiatives. We must advocate for policies prioritizing health, food security, and environmental sustainability to ensure that urban communities can thrive amidst the challenges posed by climate change and urbanization,” emphasized Prof. Obonyo.

The GDAR Spaces programme is part of the broader GDAR network, which includes research and academic institutions from Kenya, Cameroon, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom. In Kenya, KEMRI’s Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR) participates in the network with funding from the UK National Institutes for Health. The collaboration with the Kisumu County Department of Health and Climate Change is paving the way for innovative solutions to enhance urban resilience through transdisciplinary research.