CONTRIBUTORS
Annaline Jepkiyeny Karan
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Dorcas Odhiambo Onyango
Senior Communications Officer
Hellen Gitau
Research Officer
Associate Research Scientist
Simon Ambale Mwarua
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
The Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health (CUSSH) project was a six-year initiative implemented between 2018 and 2023. It aimed to generate vital research on the intricate connections between urban development and health within city systems. By participatory systems dynamics methods, CUSSH provided critical evidence on how cities could transform to address pressing environmental challenges. The project also offered transferable insights on accelerating large-scale changes in key sectors such as energy, transport, water, sanitation, and housing. Public engagement, training, and co-creation of research were embedded throughout the program’s duration to ensure a participatory approach to urban development.
CUSSH sought to achieve several key objectives. The project established methods for tracking and evaluating progress toward city-specific sustainability and health goals. Additionally, models were developed to assess the impact of different urban development pathways on population health, health inequalities, and socioeconomic and environmental components. Continuous stakeholder engagement in partner cities tested transformative processes necessary for achieving sustainability and health objectives. Furthermore, public engagement and capacity-building programs ensured co-creation and utilization of research evidence, strengthening decision-making processes and policy integration.
With support from Wellcome, the CUSSH project collaborated with community-level waste management actors, the media, and county governments to address urban waste management challenges. This initiative began in February 2020 and facilitated science-backed public discussions and actions on environmental sustainability and health. Case studies, artistic expressions, and media communications were utilized to amplify awareness and engagement.
The project yielded significant impacts. The government approved spatial plans for Oyugis municipality, a crucial step for its upgrade. This process, supported by organizations such as the World Bank, catalyzed a shift toward environmental conservation and waste management. Capacity building for urban planners in Homa Bay County enhanced expertise in sustainable urban development. Community participation was encouraged, ensuring that public voices influenced planning decisions. Public engagement initiatives in Kisumu, including waste recycling efforts, were also successful, demonstrating the effectiveness of inclusive waste management strategies. Additionally, CUSSH’s influence extended beyond its initial scope, facilitating broader regional planning efforts that accommodated Oyugis’ growth.
Several achievements highlighted the success of the CUSSH project. APHRC’s expertise in public health provided innovative perspectives for the development plan, improving public health outcomes and waste management practices. Over 200 community members participated in the public participation process, providing valuable feedback. APHRC’s financial and technical support alleviated financial constraints and enabled policy implementation by the Homa Bay County Government, contributing to public meetings, infrastructure projects, and governance improvements. Homa Bay County officials in the urban planning department received capacity-building training, enhancing their understanding of tools, expertise, and methodologies for spatial planning, with a focus on exploring how an integrated approach to spatial planning can help address complex interconnected challenges around sustainability and health and promote enhanced policy impacts. . County spatial planners developed growth estimates and models in collaboration with Burohappold Engineering experts, ensuring that planning decisions were based on accurate projections. Media coverage of the spatial planning process, including interviews with key stakeholders, expanded the project’s reach and potentially influenced policy decisions.
Despite its successes, the project encountered challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic limited physical interactions, which were crucial for public engagement and participation. The team adapted by adhering to health guidelines and utilizing virtual meetings. Aligning capacity-building goals with the expectations of the Homa Bay County Government required ongoing communication and efforts to secure alternative funding sources. Attendance issues among technical personnel during training activities were mitigated by providing training materials for self-study.
Several lessons emerged from the project’s implementation. Capacity-building for government staff was crucial for ensuring sustainability beyond the project’s lifespan. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation were necessary to track impact and identify areas for improvement. Engaging partners and donors supported resource mobilization, as county funding alone was insufficient. The slower pace of government operations necessitated patience and sustained engagement. Transparent communication about financial expectations and project scope helped manage expectations and align goals. Spatial planning needed to be prioritized despite competing county government priorities to address challenges such as informal settlements. Open communication and transparency with government stakeholders were essential for avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring effective collaboration.
The CUSSH project demonstrated that integrated and evidence-based urban planning can drive sustainable and health-oriented urban development. By promoting community participation, strengthening governance, and utilizing research-driven insights, the initiative contributed to meaningful and lasting change in urban systems.