The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) will provide technical assistance to help strengthen the resilience of two cities in Liberia, Monrovia and the suburb east of Monrovia, Paynesville, through the implementation of climate change adaptation actions, including rain gardens, which promote green infrastructure in these two urban areas.
Background
Liberia has a 570 km long coastline and is vulnerable to climate variability and change, including more extreme weather events such as heavy rains and rising sea levels. Liberia is one of the wettest countries in the world, with the heaviest rainfall occurring from May to October. Rainfall is highest along the coast, where a number of Liberia’s urban cities and settlements are located, including the capital Monrovia. It is impacted by the West African Monsoon with relative humidity reaching 90 to 100 % during the rainy season and 60-90 % during the dry season, according to the World Bank.
Due to its high number of rivers, catchments, and aquifers, as well as its low-lying coastal zone, changes to precipitation rates will likely result in high-risk flooding, including both urban and coastal flooding, according to an analysis done by the World Bank. Heavy rains, storm surges, sea level rise and increased erosion will put both urban and rural infrastructure at risk.
Its rapid urbanization has resulted in cities such as Monrovia and Paynesville - with large informal settlements located on the coast - having inadequate resilience to respond to adverse weather events, insufficient greywater infrastructure, which can lead to groundwater pollution during flooding events, and no green spaces to improve the health, mental wellbeing, and community gathering spaces as part of urban developments.
CTCN Support
The objective of this technical assistance is to help define an approach to strengthen the resilience of the cities of Monrovia and Paynesville through the implementation of climate change adaptation actions that promote urban green infrastructure. The specific objectives will be to:
- Develop a baseline study including a risk and vulnerability assessment, a barriers and challenges assessment and hydrological mapping,
- Identify the sites in consultation with all stakeholders with specific recommendations of which type of rain garden to pilot with technical specifications,
- Pilot and test the rain gardens during two types of seasons to check its viability,
- Provide an educational component, oriented towards the youngest and vulnerable populations in order to raise awareness among the general public on the importance of green infrastructure.
Expected outcomes
The implementation of rain gardens in the two cities of Monrovia and Paynesville will improve stormwater management, improve the quality of drinking water, have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the citizens as well as increase biodiversity and green spaces.
Seeking Experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) or the UN website.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
