11. Perception of Environmental Problems and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Context of the (re)naturalization of Urban Rivers in Africa

The (re)naturalization of Urban Rivers session will open up the opportunity to debate urban challenges based on the theme of urban rivers, especially with regard to their regeneration, socio-spatial contextualization and the involvement and participation of riverside communities. The session aims to create an arena for debating and distilling different understandings of citizenship and its role in environmental improvements, preserving biodiversity and building urban and social resilience. The panel will provide opportunities for discussion and sharing of experiences on the context of rivers that cross urbanized areas, highlighting the need for their integration into the urban fabric, based on the perception of socio-environmental problems and the Sustainable Development Goals. The regeneration of urban rivers in Africa is an essential effort to tackle the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by the continent’s rapidly growing cities. With many African cities experiencing high levels of pollution, inadequate waste management systems and increasingly scarce water resources, the revitalization of urban rivers can play a crucial role in improving water quality, increasing biodiversity and promoting community well-being. Initiatives such as restoring riparian habitats, creating green infrastructure and implementing sustainable drainage systems are key components of successful river regeneration projects. In addition, the involvement of local communities in conservation efforts and the promotion of sustainable land use practices are essential to ensure the long-term success and resilience of these initiatives. By prioritizing the regeneration of urban rivers, African cities can not only improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change, but also create healthier and more liveable environments for their residents. It is important to remember that water and aquatic environments provide significant ecosystem services (Rolo et al., 2017; Mas-Ponce et al., 2023) and that cities and urban ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, 2023) and that cities and urban ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the impacts of which are multi-sectoral (Chapman, 2019; Marlès Magre et al., 2020; Van Der Borght & Pallares-Barbera, 2023; Pujantell Albós et al., 2020; Aragão & Smaniotto, 2023). The regeneration of degraded rivers in developed and developing countries varies significantly due to environmental and socio-economic factors specific to each region. Despite these differences, there is growing concern and recognition of the importance of preserving the rivers that cut through cities as vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services and cultural benefits to society. While there are countless paradigmatic cases in industrialized countries, we know little about what is happening in cities on the African continent, beyond the serious environmental challenges and extreme vulnerability to climate change. In the context of the Regeneration of Urban Rivers, the proposers present academic and practical experiences, and are members of the Cyted RUN network (NATURALIZED URBAN RIVERS) – Citizen science and co-creation as means of river regeneration and risk minimization (https://www.cyted.org/RUN-RIOS-URBANOS-NATURALIZADOS) and have several projects and publications in the context of watercourse regeneration, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem services, participatory processes, citizen science, governance, agency and environmental and territorial empowerment. We bring a wealth of experience to encourage an active and participatory debate. Interesting topics (non-exhaustive list): – Recovery cases, Regeneration and depollution of urban rivers – Consequences of water pollution – Perception of socio-environmental problems and rivers – The pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals – the contribution of river regeneration – Issues and problems related to specific local characteristics and uses in the city – river – environment relationship – Factors promoting alteration/deterioration of the aquatic environment – challenges and nature-based solutions challenges and nature-based solutions – Urban design and rivers – water-sensitive urban design – Urban river landscapes – landscape dynamics and the insertion of water in the city – Green infrastructure and the association with blue and gray infrastructure – Participatory and co-creative processes with riverside communities – Acting in unplanned territories – problems, challenges and solutions – Social activism and promoting social, political, cultural or environmental change – Rivers and outdoor activities, nature sports – Managing water cycles and reducing environmental and social vulnerabilities – Promoting environmental and territorial education and the role of water and watercourses – Fostering cooperation initiatives between Ibero-America and Africa – Environmental monitoring, remote sensing and public policy management vs open data – Education for development and global environmental citizenship and the narrative of rivers