Integration of the Zambia national climate change policy in city development plans, the case of Lusaka city council.
Date
2024
Authors
Gombera, Callista
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Making cities champions of climate mitigation and adaptation requires the downscaling of policies and instruments to local and city levels. The Zambia National Climate Change Policy in City Development Plans(NPCC) was designed for incorporation into the Lusaka City Council Development Plans for climate mitigation. This study contends that effective implementation of national and internationally agreed climate change instruments could lead to climate-resilient urban systems in Lusaka. Rethinking city planning approaches is a tool for repositioning cities to mitigate the effects of climate change. The NPCC was
formulated and promulgated in 2016. It is a national-wide policy framework to guide development planning that addresses the challenge of climate change. The NPCC needs to be integrated with city development plans but however, the relationship between the two in Lusaka, like many other cities in Africa, is not always a direct one. This study sought to uncover the complexities in downscaling the NPCC into Lusaka city development plans and processes. Further, the study also sought to identify barriers to aggressive climate change response such as lack of finances and continuity to programs. as proposed in the NPCC. The study was conducted at key informant level at the Lusaka City Council. Further, secondary data was conducted through a review of literature
involving the NPCC, the Local Government Act of 2019, Lusaka Master Plan, 7 th and 8th National Development Plan, Lusaka Strategic Plan, LCC projects (concerning climate change response), LCC Annual Budgets, council minutes, Zambia Environmental Management act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act. A discourse analysis was conducted on each of these reviewed documents. The outstanding key words from discourse analysis were stakeholder participation and integration, research and development, climate-smart technologies, agriculture, rainfall, forestry, wildlife, tourism, energy, health, and waste. These categories were interpreted vis-Ă -vis the city development plans that are in effect within Lusaka. The findings were evident that the response to climate change in Lusaka is not direct on. There are complexities in downscaling climate response that include a lack of resources, localization of policies among others. There is a need for increased human resource capacity and improved LCC financing mechanisms. In addition, there needs to be improved inter sectorial
communication, completion of the IDP, creation of a non-motorized transport policy, improved references to city development plans. In keeping with this notion, this study recommends that LCC may need to enact by-laws for greenery protection, technocrats’ freedom, sensitization, and grassroots participation.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Spatial Planning