WORLD URBAN FORUM 12

Ahmad Rifai's presentation highlights innovative, participatory approaches to reimagining riverfronts as inclusive and sustainable public spaces in Indonesia. Rifai discusses several projects such as the Sungai Jingah riverfront in Banjarmasin, where the Kota Kita initiative empowered residents through participatory processes to create access to the river by assembling modular gabion foundations, combining practical solutions with traditional Indonesian design elements to preserve cultural identity.

In Surakarta, Rifai explores interventions within the dense informal riverbank settlements, addressing environmental degradation, inadequate sanitation, and social exclusion. Efforts such as land certification, housing improvements and the provision of community facilities aim to create healthier, more inclusive environments. Notable projects include the Bengawan Solo urban forest, designed for flood prevention and community interaction, and Taman Rukun Mangkubumen, a public space developed with community-centred principles to promote social inclusion while enhancing environmental benefits. These examples highlight how participatory processes and multi-stakeholder collaboration can redefine urban rivers as spaces for all.

Ellen de Vibe's presentation draws on her experience as Oslo's former chief urban planner to explore rivers as catalysts for equitable cities. She highlights water as a key asset for human well-being, fostering recreation, creativity and cultural belonging. Rivers also serve as structural elements that shape urban landscapes, as seen in Oslo's Park System Strategy Plan and the Alna Structure Plan & Action Programme. However, de Vibe cautions against urban greening projects exacerbating inequalities and emphasises the need for housing policies that support less affluent residents. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are key, as exemplified by Grorud Park's phytoremediation efforts and marine restoration systems such as Tjuvholmen's artificial concrete reefs. These strategies integrate ecological principles, such as fostering biodiversity and sustainable marine growth. De Vibe concludes that just river restoration requires inclusive co-creation, robust policies and a balanced relationship between human and natural rights.

Regino Opondo's presentation highlights the work of the Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) in addressing flooding and climate justice in Nairobi's informal settlements. Following the devastating 2024 Kibera floods, which displaced over 13,000 people, KDI has championed a participatory and inclusive approach to river rehabilitation. Refusing to displace vulnerable residents, projects like the Kibera Public Space Project demonstrate how nature-based solutions and community-led design can provide critical infrastructure, such as flood-resistant pathways and bridges, while creating public spaces. The Rivers and People Plan integrates participatory mapping, evidence-based design and collaboration with city governments to link local action with city-wide strategies. Opondo emphasises that holistic solutions, such as the Blue-Green Infrastructure Master Plan, balance environmental, social and economic needs while empowering communities to co-create sustainable visions for their riverfronts.

The presentation by Aleix Saura-Vallverdú, Nardine Khaled, and Boshra Ali explores the multifaceted significance of the Nile River in Egypt. As a source of life in the desert, the Nile has historically provided agricultural fertility, transportation, trade opportunities, and cultural inspiration. The presentation frames the Nile's role through three lenses: manifest functions (practical, intended uses such as transportation and provisioning), latent functions (unintended, indirect benefits), and symbolic functions (cultural, spiritual, and identity-related meanings). While the riverbanks have long served purposes such as promenading, entertainment, and resting, modernisation—including hydro works, urbanisation, and redevelopment projects—has transformed their character. Today's Nile banks reflect a mix of traditional uses, spontaneous informal activities, large-scale redevelopment efforts, and major transportation corridors, illustrating Cairo's evolving relationship with its iconic river.