Infrastructure and Basic Services

The Green City Kigali toolkit for sustainable and green development is based on the guiding principles and concepts of a sustainable urban drainage strategy using nature based solutions, carbon change mitigative and adaptive buildings, sustainable transport solutions, reduced water demand, reduced urban heat island effects while combined with a medium-term pathway to net zero carbon.   

SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS 

Thinking green means thinking smart. Many masterplans increase building heights to increase density. The Green City Kigali will demonstrate that smart and dedicated land-use can increase the land suitable for building and at the same time provide green spaces and parks. Potential undevelopable land where high ground level gradients may make it expensive to construct homes, will become community areas to play, breath and share life. Extensive vegetation on and around buildings and along walking and cycling routes will give the neighborhood its unique face. A green face. 

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE BUILDINGS 

Is net-zero building luxury? We say no. The homes and buildings of Green City Kigali will follow sustainable technology principles and build on Kigali’s climate opportunities. The goal is to combine appropriate technologies, progressive thinking and the use of local skills and materials to show that this urban environment has everything it needs to sustain its community and live green. 

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT 

The Green City Kigali designs for modest levels of car use, promotes walking and cycling and frees up land area for significantly more homes. This higher building density is then coupled with urban layouts that promote direct shorter walking routes to transport centers. A reliable public transport system will then take people further afield when distances are longer. The benefit? Residents of Kinyinya Hill will enjoy decreased road noise and air pollution. Walk, cycle, breath! 

REDUCED WATER DEMAND 

The project aims to promote reduced water demand at the household level by incorporating low flow fixtures and building level rainwater harvesting for grey water re-use. Grey water can be used in such items as toilets, where drinking quality water is not necessary. As a result, the water use will be reduced to less than half of business-as-usual level, placing significantly less demand on the municipal supply.  

REDUCED URBAN HEAT ISLANDS 

Urban infrastructures contribute significantly to increased urban temperatures. But they can also be designed to actually reduce urban microclimate effects and make temperature headroom for future climate change. The Green City Kigali will implement key measures to reduce Urban Heat Island effects, including the use of natural tree foliage and vegetation.  

ZERO CARBON TIMELINE 

The Green City Kigali works on a roadmap and timeline to Zero Carbon. The objective is to reduce demand and couple it with renewable electricity generation. The project seeks to demonstrate that future urban development and prosperity growth can be achieved without investing in centralized power generation and associated infrastructure. The Green City Kigali takes the challenge on. Because ambition creates innovation.