Session Title:
Urban Nature for All: Reclaiming Green Spaces for Healing, Equity, and Resilience in African Cities
Session Date:
11.11.25
Session Time:
2:00-3:15 PM CEST (TBD)
Format:
Online
Language:
Translated captions
Geographical Focus:
African region
Sociodemographic Focus:
General population living in densely populated cities
Registration:
Link to Eventbrite
GUIDING QUESTIONS
Can Africa’s deep cultural connections to nature transform nature-based therapies from imported luxury into inclusive, everyday mental health care?
Will green spaces in Africa’s cities become sanctuaries for a privileged few, or shared healing grounds that advance equity and resilience? How can they be tailored to meet the specific needs of different communities?
DESCRIPTION
Nature-based connection and therapy are increasingly recognised for their mental health and wellbeing benefits. Too often, though, they are framed as wellness services for those who can afford them. In Africa, the question is whether these approaches will remain an elite luxury, or whether they can be adapted into affordable, culturally grounded strategies that advance health equity.
We know from high-income countries that nature-based solutions can be applied successfully in underprivileged communities, improving mental health and strengthening social connections, showing they can serve as effective public health tools.
The urgency is clear in Africa’s cities. Rapid urbanisation brings overcrowding, pollution, heat, and limited access to safe green space—stressors that fall most heavily on low-income communities. At the same time, as people move from rural to urban life, there is a real risk of losing cultural traditions deeply rooted in nature—whether in farming, herbal medicine, rituals, or communal gatherings. The opportunity lies in reimagining these practices for urban settings, so they remain sources of resilience, belonging, and healing. Imagine schools that turn gardens and outdoor play into spaces of learning and resilience, clinics that use green courtyards to reduce stress for patients and health workers, or public spaces that integrate cultural practices into new urban forms.
Co-organised with ICLEI Africa, this webinar invites us to explore how Africa can prevent the loss of these cultural links and transform them into inclusive, community-owned nature-based solutions for cities; practical strategies that support mental health, strengthen social cohesion, and make urban life healthier for all. Presentations will share examples of nature-based solutions being deployed in Africa, and how they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different communities.
Dr. Heidi Albert
Head, Cities Health Center
ICLEI Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
https://africa.iclei.org/awsm_team_member/heidi-albert/
Romi Kaplan
The Counselling Hub, Cape Town, South Africa
https://counsellinghub.org.za/
Topic: Nature-based therapy: An important element of affordable and sustainable mental health care
Nomfundo Ndlovu
Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
https://www.wessa.org.za/adopting-ecotherapy/
Topic: WESSA Eco-Schools, adopting ecotherapy in school gardens
Musonda Kapena
Namfumu Conservation Trust, Zambia
https://www.facebook.com/p/Namfumu-Conservation-Trust-100084760222538/
Topic: Nature-based wellness, indigenous knowledge and conservation in Zambia
Ken Ketor
Metro Planning Officer
Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
https://ccma.gov.gh/
Topic: Drawing on cultural roots and traditions of nature connection to shape inclusive nature-based solutions for African cities
Bongiwe Simka