Dear PDF Member
 
The City of Tshwane’s Sustainability Unit, WWF-SA, IISD and Rainbow Junction extend an invitation to attend a virtual interactive session on a case-study undertaken on Rainbow Junction to demonstrate the benefits of an array of nature-based interventions on the viability and future-proofing of this important development.
 
Date:      Tuesday, 21^st September 2021
Time:      14h00 to 16h00
Venue:    MS Teams Virtual Meeting
RSVP:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 012 542 1308
 
OVERVIEW
 
Climate change, population growth, a decrease in permeable surfaces, informal growth and inadequate maintenance of storm water system are predicted to increase the risk of flooding and heat stress in Tshwane over the coming decades.
 
The City of Tshwane has committed itself to ambitious carbon emission targets. While often overlooked, investment in nature-based solutions or infrastructure can support the reduction in carbon emissions and also increase municipalities’ resilience to projected climate and environmental challenges by means of the following:
Providing more carbon sinks in the urban environment, thereby reducing carbon emissions

• Addressing rising temperatures
• Minimising heat island effects
• Providing areas of shade during heatwaves
• Providing a source of natural flood risk management
• Reducing soil erosion and preventing excessive sediment from entering watercourses
• Improving air quality

 However, investment in these solutions is often hampered due to a lack of understanding of these benefits.
 
The interactive session will focus on sharing the key results of a sustainable asset valuation of nature-based infrastructure to mitigate flooding and heat risk in Tshwane, South Africa.
 
The place-based valuation focuses on Rainbow Junction, a new 140-hectare, mixed-use development located 6 km north of Tshwane’s central business district. By means of quantifying construction and maintenance costs and energy savings, storm water retention and the carbon storage benefits of green roofs and street trees, the report demonstrates that nature-based infrastructure can reduce the costs of storm water management and cooling for buildings, while also improving the quality of the area for residents and other stakeholders.