Cities Ongoing – Spatial Planning of Climate SMART and Resilient Port Cities in the WIO Region: A case for Mombasa and Durban-BANDARI BORA

The project aimed to bridge the knowledge and data gaps surrounding the interactions between port and urban systems, specifically within the contexts of Mombasa and Durban. Researchers recognized the need for an integrated approach to analyze these two systems’ socio-cultural, environmental, land-use changes, and spatial planning dynamics. The study’s objectives included evaluating the effects of port development and operations on urban socio-spatial arrangements and developing an integrated spatial development framework to inform coastal planning and management policies, utilizing simulated development scenarios.

A multi-disciplinary approach was adopted to gather the necessary data, employing various methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify gaps in existing research on port-city development, scrutinizing national documents, grey literature, and academic publications. This review helped illuminate historical policy frameworks that governed development in Mombasa and Durban and informed an understanding of the environmental challenges faced by these port cities.

To further understand port-city interactions, a systems thinking approach was applied, allowing for a comparative analysis between Mombasa and Durban. This analysis revealed key problems affecting both cities, such as conflicting stakeholder interests and uncoordinated policies leading to environmental degradation. Causal loop diagrams were developed to represent the interconnections within the port-city system.

Stakeholder engagement was initiated through a project inception meeting in February 2021, leading to a subsequent hybrid engagement event in July. The involvement of diverse stakeholders, including local and national government representatives, the private sector, and community groups, facilitated the establishment of a port-city forum and produced valuable spatial data for the research framework.

A Marine Sustainability Index was proposed as an integrated framework to quantify the sustainability of port cities in the Western Indian Ocean region, focusing on the relationship between port-city development and marine resource stewardship. The project also involved land-use mapping around Mombasa Port to assess current activities and their socio-economic implications. Preliminary findings indicated a direct impact of port location on land use, demonstrating that port operations led to significant changes in the vicinity, especially with the relocation of the port affecting the commercial vitality of the Old Town area.

To gather community insights, a series of focus group discussions were conducted, identifying pressing issues such as land-based pollution and socio-economic challenges arising from port operations. Additionally, a household survey was administered to collect demographic and socio-economic data, highlighting the community’s experiences with port developments.

Key informant interviews were conducted with stakeholders who possessed relevant expertise, enriching the study with diverse perspectives on port-city dynamics. To support spatial planning, a detailed spatial database was created, integrating various thematic data essential for urban management in Mombasa.

The examination of the unintended environmental consequences of port developments was conducted in collaboration with the UNEP-Nairobi Convention. Focusing on the Mombasa Port modernization project, the study revealed significant findings: increased chlorophyll and turbidity levels linked to construction activities, human-driven land use changes in the surrounding areas, and a decline in mangrove cover over two decades. The assessment of water quality trends using remote sensing data further indicated that chlorophyll levels peaked during the project’s construction phase, suggesting a correlation between port activities and environmental degradation.

Overall, the research underscored the complex interdependencies between port developments and urban environments, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to sustainable planning and resource management in port-city systems within the region. The findings provided a crucial foundation for future policy frameworks aiming to balance developmental needs with environmental sustainability.