Building climate resilient urban areas in Kigali
Author: Organizing Team, UNLEASH Hack Kigali
UNLEASH Hack Kigali brought together university students, recent graduates, and professionals to tackle climate challenges specific to Kigali’s urban landscape such as flooding, heat waves, sustainable agriculture, and infrastructure strain. The Hack which happened from November 2 to 3, in Kigali, Rwanda, engaged Talents in an intensive innovation process where they worked on the theme “Climate Resilient Urban Areas”.
During the first day of the Hack, Talents were introduced to problem framing and ideation, which are essential steps in understanding and identifying climate issues relevant to SDGs 11, 12, and 13. They were then divided into 5 teams to collaborate and analyze Kigali’s climatic challenges and their impact. The second day began with team-building activities, after which each team refined their problem statements and finalized their solution canvases. Facilitators were on the ground to guide them through rapid prototyping and pitch preparations. Each team presented a 3-minute pitch to a team of judges.
The winning team proposed a project to enhance urban food security using low-cost materials, like old tires and plastic containers, to create home-based gardens, addressing both food production and waste management. Their prize was a three-month incubation program with the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) and leadership mentorship from AIESEC in Rwanda. The runner-up team developed a digital platform providing real-time weather updates and disaster alerts for flood-prone urban residents. Their prize included a one-month mentorship with AIESEC in Rwanda and climate action training with Treescape Planet Organization.
UNLEASH Hack Kigali highlighted the immense potential of Rwandan youth to drive sustainable change, showcasing how structured, collaborative efforts can lead to impactful solutions for urban climate resilience.
