Six new cities spanning Africa to Latin America have become members of UNEP's Generation Restoration Cities program, sparking a nature-centered shift in finance, employment, and urban development.

These urban areas, including Mendoza in Argentina, Curitiba in Brazil, Barranquilla in Colombia, Kisumu in Kenya, Overstrand in South Africa, and Istanbul in Turkey, collectively host 45 million residents, cover 2.1 million hectares of land and comprise 600 kilometres of waterways.

They are now committed to adopting and expanding ecosystem restoration projects through nature-based solutions.

On World Environment Day, UNEP announces the inclusion of these six new cities into Generation Restoration, bringing the total count of pilot projects to fourteen (14).

Alongside the original eight pilots - Sirajganj in Bangladesh, Manaus in Brazil, Douala IV in Cameroon, Samborondón in Ecuador, Kochi in India, Mexico City in Mexico, Quezon City in the Philippines, and Dakar in Senegal - these new additions signify a growing global commitment to environmental restoration efforts.

Drought and desertification threaten ecosystem

Drought and desertification pose significant threats to ecosystems worldwide, including freshwater systems and soil, which serve as the fundamental building blocks for all life on Earth.

With over 40 per cent of the world's land already degraded, this degradation impacts half of the global population and worsens extreme temperatures linked to climate change.

Urban areas, though small in size, host over half the global population and are both drivers and victims of ecosystem degradation. Despite their concrete landscapes, cities function as ecosystems crucial for human well-being.

However, rapid urbanization harms natural ecosystems, impacting urban residents. To address this, adopting nature-based solutions in cities and integrating landscape-scale planning are vital to reconnecting urban areas with nature and mitigating climate change impacts.

Six new pilot cities committed to addressing ecosystem degradation

The six new pilot cities aim to address ecosystem degradation. For instance: 

Mendoza in Argentina is leading environmental conservation efforts by restoring native forests and empowering communities through the creation of ecological corridors.

Curitiba in Brazil is developing an integrated urban plan that prioritizes both biodiversity preservation and climate action within the city.

Barranquilla in Colombia is revitalizing Leon Creek through sustainable strategies aimed at enhancing water quality, biodiversity, and services for local communities.

Kisumu in Kenya is focused on restoring biodiversity hotspots along the Auji River to improve livelihoods and promote community well-being.

Overstrand in South Africa, is dedicated to restoring a valuable wetland ecosystem by rehabilitating the Onrus River catchment corridor.

Istanbul in Turkey aims to enhance its ecological corridors to connect green spaces and support pollinators.

2023-2025 Generation Restoration Cities projects

The Generation Restoration Cities project, running from 2023 to 2025, is designed to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement. Its goal is to empower urban stakeholders worldwide to expand ecosystem restoration efforts using nature-based solutions (NbS).

The two primary focuses of the project are to encourage and advocate for both public and private investment in ecosystem restoration, which also creates decent work opportunities through Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

It is also to empower city stakeholders at all levels - including governments, the private sector, and community-based organizations/non-governmental organizations (CBOs/NGOs) - globally to replicate and expand ecosystem restoration initiatives.

The project aims to identify opportunities for restoration within finance and job markets. It emphasizes the benefits of investing in restoration for job creation and outlines a pathway to bridge the investment gap necessary to meet global commitments on biodiversity and climate.

Eight (8) other cities implementing ecosystem restoration

The eight other cities worldwide implementing the pilot projects to drive ecosystem restoration in urban areas are Douala, Dakar-Plateau and Thies, Quezon City, Kochi, Sirajganj, Samborondon, Mexico City, and Manaus.

In Cameroon, Douala is focused on restoring mangroves and establishing governance structures in collaboration with the community to ensure their active involvement in the restoration and preservation of ecosystems.

In Senegal, Dakar-Plateau and Thies are collaborating to develop a greenbelt and blue-green wedges surrounding the metropolitan area, facilitating species movement between protected lands on the city's periphery.

Quezon City in Metro Manila, Philippines, is engaging local communities and students in identifying urban spaces for transformation into restoration areas. Additionally, the city is designing ecological corridors, green spaces, and pollinator gardens to enhance urban biodiversity.

In India, Kochi is initiating a canal restoration project aimed at enhancing the water quality of the Vembanad Lake ecosystem, benefiting both the populace and the entire basin.

Sirajganj in Bangladesh is revitalizing the city's river coasts by establishing a green corridor, which will rehabilitate, restore, and enrich biodiversity along the riverbanks.

The Ecuadorian canton of Samborondon is undertaking mangrove restoration along the Daule and Babahoyo rivers, focusing on reintroducing local mangrove species, eradicating invasive species, and restoring natural habitats.

Mexico City, the capital, is fostering citizen engagement in ecological restoration efforts, collaborating with the government to reintegrate nature into the urban landscape.

In Manaus of Brazil, efforts are underway to promote agroecology in urban and peri-urban agriculture, serving as a nature-based solution to enhance food security and alleviate pressure on nearby forests.

Cities play critical role in raising ambition and implementing actions

Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch at UNEP, Mirey Atallah, emphasized the pivotal role of cities and sub-national governments in elevating ambition and enacting concrete actions as the world approaches the milestone of submitting new Nationally Determined Contributions in February 2025.

“Generation Restoration cities demonstrate that in the real world, solutions for climate, nature and pollution come together. We welcome these courageous cities which showcase that we can thrive in a restored environment”. 

Nature-based solutions offer a multitude of benefits to urban ecosystems, including enhancing biodiversity, mitigating local temperatures, increasing resilience to erosion and sea level rise, improving air and water quality, fostering community cohesion and enhancing quality of life, ensuring food supply and security, as well as creating green jobs and economic opportunities.

From the rejuvenation of urban rivers, watersheds, and other freshwater ecosystems in Brazil, Colombia, India, and Kenya, to the rejuvenation of mangrove forests in Cameroon and Ecuador, and the development of greenbelts and corridors in Argentina and Senegal, each "pilot city" is undertaking distinct restoration projects tailored to its local context.

These cities serve as examples of the value of "ordinary" nature, which provides crucial ecosystem services relied upon globally. Moreover, they benefit from mentorship from an increasing number of "Role Model cities" that serve as restoration champions with successful track records in implementing nature-based solutions.

Mayor of Mendoza in Argentina Ulpiano Suárez, highlighted that as a local government, they have a unique and significant opportunity to promote ecological restoration policies to tackle the impacts of climate change.

“Ecosystem restoration improves urban ecosystems’ health, contributes to improving air and water quality, provides natural resources, and enhances the overall well-being of local communities. Mendoza is leading environmental stewardship by restoring native arid ecosystems and empowering communities through ecological corridors. Through this, we wish to promote biodiversity and align with the Mendoza Resilient City 2030 Plan's goals.”