Many African cities have started drawing up climate plans. These promise cooler streets, urban forests and green roofs on buildings. This urban climate adaptation has become an urgent priority.
Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, is a fast-growing city spread across hills and valleys. Its suburbs stand alongside expanding informal settlements. But life in this dry city is becoming harder. Rainfall is low and unpredictable and temperatures rise as high as 40°C. Sparse vegetation and heat-absorbing roads and buildings make parts of the city even hotter.
