Understanding Risks Tanzania (URTZ) 2019 - Department of Ecosystems and Conservation

Tanzania is experiencing a rapid and unplanned urbanization with consequences on increased economic and social vulnerability related to climate risks particularly in cities. In efforts to bring sustainable resilience cities and communities, the Department of Ecosystems and Conservation (DEC) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is participating in understanding and mitigating climate risks as a consequence of unplanned urbanization through engagement of resilient innovative solutions, research and capacity development. Through the Department, students and researchers have the opportunity to investigate drivers, trend, extent, impacts, and map spatial- and temporal-scale risks of unplanned urbanization including flooding, coastal erosion, storm and water borne diseases. Students and researchers will also have the opportunity to innovate low cost, effective, resilient and sustainable solutions for better cities and communities. Thus, the Department has joined global efforts in achieving Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which focuses on Sustainable Cities and Communities.

This year the Department participated in Understanding Risks Tanzania (URTZ) annual conference https://understandrisk.org/event/urtz-2019/ through which participants from the government, academia, civil society, other interested groups and public came together through panel sessions, workshops and exhibitions on sustainable solutions for resilience cities and communities at the National Museum, Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The agenda for the conference was Towards Sustainable Resilience Cities. It was indeed a knowledge exchange platform but a successful model that brought together key players to forge sustainable and resilient solutions to unplanned urbanization and climate related risks. For more information on Department’s engagement follow https://resilienceacademy.ac.tz/

Understanding Risks Tanzania URTZ 2019