Green City Kigali: A Vision for Sustainable Housing and Urban Living in Kinyinya

The City of Kigali reveals plans for a groundbreaking environmental protection project, Green City Kigali, in the Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District. In a press conference on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the City Administration outlined this and other key projects aimed at improving the lives of residents over the next five years. Spanning 600 hectares, Green City Kigali will revolutionize urban living in the area, according to officials.

Marie-Solange MUHIRWA, the City of Kigali’s chief urban planner, stated that the project will construct houses that can withstand climate change using environmentally friendly materials.

She said, “The goal is to create a city or area where people can easily access essential services like schools, jobs, medical facilities, and shops without traveling more than 15 minutes.”

The Green City Kigali Project will be implemented in Gasharu and Murama cells, dividing it into 18 areas with all necessary amenities.

Muhirwa announced that the project will consist of affordable low-income houses for residents. The area aims to encourage public transport and bicycle use, with roads with a gradient of no more than 8% to facilitate this mode of transportation.

“We aim to create affordable, culturally-related houses using locally sourced materials,” she stated.

The City of Kigali has granted the right to build according to the master plan to Kinyinya residents, particularly those with the capacity. Individuals who cannot adhere to the master plan will sell their land to those with the necessary capacity. The infrastructure, including schools, clinics, markets, playgrounds, and more will be built by the City of Kigali.

The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Samuel DUSENGIYUMVA, announced that the blueprint has been approved, and they are now accepting applications from those interested in building.

He clarified that landowners can use the land as intended, stating that the claim of it not being used is unfounded as they are currently analyzing and implementing the request.

He highlighted the unique Green City project, a first-ever initiative with numerous partners, requiring extensive discussion and preparation for easy implementation, compared to traditional road and bridge construction projects.

Dusengiyumva revealed that within the next five years, 10,000 houses will be constructed for individuals with low incomes. He cited a construction project in Mpazi, which aimed to build high-rise buildings to accommodate large populations in small areas.

He said, “We have a strong plan to develop housing that enables low-income residents to find suitable housing for house or rent growth.”

He emphasized the importance of resilient urban planning in addressing climate change, emphasizing the Green City Kigali Project’s proactive approach to developing sustainable cities.

Rwanda’s Green City Kigali initiative aims to address environmental and urban challenges through innovative models for Green Urbanisation. The project, which is being implemented by the Rwanda Green Fund and RSSB, covers 600 hectares on Kinyinya Hill, aligning with the City of Kigali Master Plan 2050. It’s part of Rwandan-German Climate Cooperation, with a €40 million financial commitment.