Now in its second three-year phase, the PLUS Network African Cities project has three priorities: promoting good governance, advancing environmental sustainability, and accelerating the transfer of knowledge among and beyond the three African cities Durban/eThekwini (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal), and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The project funder is CIDA, with financial and in-kind contributions from local NGOs and municipalities.

Applying a “Plan, Do, Share” approach, the project aims to produce demonstrable results within neighbourhoods and local government. Capacity building strategies include peer learning events, participatory government processes, and community demonstration projects. Gender equity is a primary focus in each city. Other cities in the PLUS Network will be part of the peer learning events to extend the range of knowledge sharing to support urban sustainability strategies.

Durban: A Community Engagement Process for a 100-year Vision

During the first phase of the project, Durban successfully completed the participatory visioning and strategic planning phase of its long-term planning process, Imagine Durban. The result is a plan built on widespread community and stakeholder engagement, and on gender equity policy. Imagine Durban continues to serve as an inspirational model for other cities in the Network. Community demonstration projects will support the implementation of priorities in the Imagine Durban plan. The City is the local partner, contributing expertise and funding.

Dakar: Participatory Planning and Implementation

In Dakar, participatory multi-stakeholder processes will initially address sustainability issues of one of the municipalities within greater Dakar, with priority given to poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and empowerment of women and youth. Working with local NGO partner Institut Africain de Gestion Urbaine (IAGU), the objective is to demonstrate to the other metro cities the advantages of a more inclusive process. Seed funding will be provided for community projects that bring practical results and show likelihood of leveraging other funds, such as through savings societies, or generating volunteer activities.

Dar es Salaam: Sustainable Tourism Sector Development

In Dar es Salaam, support will continue for the further development of multi-stakeholder processes that assist the local governments in meeting their sustainability mandates. In the first phase, the project was instrumental in the formation of a Dar es Salaam Tourism Advisory Committee, focusing on providing local economic development opportunities. A waterfront clean-up broke new ground in bridging jurisdictions to engage the community and local authorities in the planning of public spaces. Funding for community demonstration projects that bring on-the-ground results will continue to assist community groups in improving their livelihoods and improving the environmental sustainability of their communities. The local partner is the environmental NGO Kesho Trust.