ECOSOLA - Ecosystem-Based Solutions for Resilient Urban Agriculture in Africa
Project team
Networking Project LIPSINDAR
Linking Partners for a Sustainable and Inclusive Dar es Salaam
LIPSINDAR is a networking project of the three research projects ECOSOLA, AfriCITY and GOPLAREA.
Duration: February 2018 - June 2021
Funding: Federal Ministry for Education and Research within the networking fond "Partnerships for sustainable solutions with sub-Saharan Africa".
Aim: Networking of the activities of the projects ECOSOLA (University Oldenburg), AfriCITY (University Erlangen) and GOPLAREA (TU Dortmund) as well as the collective elaboration of proposals for a resilient and sustainable urban development in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).


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ECOSOLA - Ecosystem-Based Solutions for Resilient Urban Agriculture in Africa

ECOSOLA - Ecosystem-Based Solutions for Resilient Urban Agriculture in Africa
Project Description
Object of Research
ECOSOLA is a collaborative project between the University of Oldenburg, the Planungsgruppe Grün in Bremen, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and the Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.
The project aims to explore the current role and future potential of small-scale urban and sub-urban agriculture in Dar es Salaam and the Western Cape region. The project intends to strengthen urban and peri-urban agriculture in Tanzania and South Africa in the long term. At the same time, the food supply for urban dwellers will be improved and the efficiency of important ecosystem functions in fast-growing cities will be ensured. Together with local stakeholders, the project seeks to develop and test concrete solutions on the ground. Furthermore, the institutional framework conditions of urban agriculture will be analyzed so that recommendations can be given to local authorities.
Method / Approach
The rapidly advancing urbanization in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa poses problems for the affected societies. Planning authorities cannot keep pace with rapid developments. The results are growing poverty and unemployment, insufficient food supply, inadequate infrastructure and informal settlements. The first generation of settlers in newly emerging urban districts has a small-scale farming background and can establish agriculture as an important source of income in the urban areas. Urban agriculture has the potential to counteract poverty and food shortages in the cities. Despite these promising opportunities, small-scale farmers in urban and peri-urban areas of Africa face numerous challenges. These include uncertain or unclear land use rights, the lack of political acceptance, and the pollution of soil, water and air, inadequate water supply.
Project Duration
2017 - 2019
Funding
The project is supported by both the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The funding was granted within the funding measure for research and integrated postgraduate education within the Federal Government's strategy for the internationalisation of science and research - partnerships for sustainable solutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Partners
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (UOL): Prof. Dr. Bernd Siebenhüner, Prof. Dr. Michael Kleyer
Planungsgruppe Grün in Bremen (PGG): Dipl.-Ing. Martin Sprötge, Dr. Max Petzold
University of Dar es Salaam, Tansania (USDM): Prof. Pius Yanda
Nelson Mandela University, Südafrika (NMU): Prof. Raymond Auerbach