Liberia inception mission

In the second half of July, DASUDA lead partner CDR International kicked-off the Liberia Urban Resilience Project with an intensive Inception Mission. We support the Ministry of Public Works of Liberia in implementing this The World Bank-funded project, aiming to improve urban resilience in four flood-prone areas of Greater Monrovia —Northern Bushrod Island, Omega Market Area, Central Monrovia, and Southeastern Paynesville. The project addresses site-specific hydraulic challenges and systemic gaps in water management and urban planning.

The project consists of the following tasks:

• Carry out detailed flood risk assessments of the areas
• Developing urban resilience plans, focusing on participative approach, and selecting flood resilience and community infrastructure services;
• Developing preliminary and detailed designs for mitigation measures
• Preparing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs)
• Providing procurement support to the Client.

CDR International and joint-venture partner Earthtime lead this multidisciplinary initiative, supported by DASUDA partner VE-R landscape and urbanism, Deltares, Geo2, and various other specialists.

During the mission and multiple site visits before and after the formal Inception Programme, we were reminded of the value of having boots on the ground, especially in such complex and dynamic urban settings. With Monrovia receiving some of the highest annual rainfall globally, its low-lying deltaic terrain, combined with rapid urbanization and informal development, poses severe challenges for drainage and resilience infrastructure.

This project is a typical DASUDA project which aims to tackle these challenges by combining technical flood risk management with community-centered urban upgrading. Its dual approach includes (1) improving critical drainage infrastructure through blue-green-grey solutions—such as stormwater retention zones, vegetated wetlands, and engineered drainage—and (2) upgrading public facilities in vulnerable areas, including markets, sanitation systems, public lighting, water kiosks, and recreational spaces.

Our visits led to various new insights into the local hydrological systems and deepened our understanding of the socio-economic and urban fabric of the study areas. With the local knowledge of Earthtime and John C. II. Mayson, and regular visits from international experts, we continue to work towards a safer, more flood-resilient Monrovia, where community-supported infrastructure and integrated planning reduce vulnerability and protect livelihoods.

 #UrbanResilience #FloodMitigation #Monrovia #WorldBank #Liberia #CDRInternational #DASUDA #SustainableCities #ClimateAdaptation

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Advancing Flood-Resilient and Transit-Oriented Development Along the Nairobi Commuter Rail

CDR International, leading a consortium of DASUDA partners—VE-R, Move Mobility, and Rebel—is finalizing Activity 3 and 4 in the ongoing Flood Risk Management Study for the Nairobi Commuter Rail. This Study is commissioned under the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project (KUMIP) and supported by the World Bank and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).

This project addresses two critical challenges for Nairobi’s rapidly expanding urban population: flooding and mobility issues. The Nairobi Commuter Rail (NCR) system serves as a vital public transport backbone connecting key residential areas like Ruiru, Syokimau, Embakasi, and Kikuyu to the city centre. However, frequent service disruptions due to flooding threaten the reliability of this essential infrastructure—undermining economic productivity and public confidence in rail as a viable alternative to road transport.

After carrying out a detailed flood risk assessment of the rail infrastructure and surrounding areas, Activities 3 and 4 focus on delivering strategic, pre-feasibility-level solutions to strengthen the commuter rail system’s flood resilience and support sustainable urban development in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA).

• Activity 3 has resulted in a comprehensive Flood Risk Management Plan for the entire commuter rail system. The plan provides prioritized recommendations—both structural and non-structural—to guide future investments in flood mitigation. These measures aim to reduce vulnerabilities, improve asset durability, and ensure continuity of operations during extreme weather events.
• Activity 4 applies these insights to three critical commuter hubs along the Thika Line—Githurai, Mwiki, and Kariobangi South. This phase introduces urban flood mitigation strategies that integrate with Transit-Oriented Development (ToD) principles. Draft guidelines developed for these stations provide a framework for scaling DRM-informed urban planning to other rail nodes across Nairobi.

Importantly, the plans for both activities were developed in close collaboration with national and local stakeholders. During a series of dedicated engagement workshops, stakeholders identified and evaluated potential interventions using a multi-criteria analysis approach—ensuring that proposed solutions reflect local priorities, feasibility, and long-term impact.

Using open data, government inputs, and a high-resolution terrain model, the study identifies strategic interventions that align with Kenya’s goals for resilient infrastructure and inclusive mobility. These outputs will inform future design and investment decisions, ensuring that flood risk is not displaced but responsibly managed.

By addressing the intersection of flood resilience, mobility, and urban planning, this project contributes meaningfully to Nairobi’s long-term sustainability, economic performance, and quality of life.

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