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Development and environment can co-exist
Uganda needs investment. Kampala needs jobs, businesses, hotels, offices and modern infrastructure. But Kampala also needs trees, public spaces, functioning drainage systems and areas where people can escape the congestion of the city centre. Development and environmental conservation should, therefore, not automatically be treated as opposing objectives, writes Amlan Tumusiime
Amlan Tumusiime. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Amlan Tumusiime
In January 2020, the German State Government of Brandenburg sold 300ha, roughly 740 acres, of forested land on the outskirts of Berlin to an American car company, Tesla, to build a car manufacturing factory, Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The move was strongly rejected by environmental groups, local citizens and climate activists. The activists camped in the targeted forest surrounding the plant, building dozens of houses to physically obstruct the project. Others went to court, which ruled in favour of government and the investor.
The American car manufacturing company has since finished the construction of the factory, and over 20,000 locals have been employed. The company annually manufactures 200,000 to 400,000, although the target is to produce one million cars per year.
Tesla also put environmental and climate concerns into consideration. For example, Tesla built a state-of-the-art high-tech industrial wastewater treatment plant directly on the site. The facility recycles up to 100% of its process water waste, allowing the factory to re-use water internally and bring its consumption down to 2.16 cubic metres per vehicle, well below the automotive industry average of 3.5 cubic meters per vehicle. Of course, water scarcity was the most pressing issue raised by local citizen groups and activists, and Tesla responded by introducing the advanced water recycling program.
The American company has also promoted reforestation in some areas. Since its completion in 2022, Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg has created key economic impacts, including job creation boosting household incomes, regional development including upgraded roads, bus links and railway connections. The German government is heavily benefiting through export markets across Europe and beyond.
This brings me to the ongoing debate surrounding the future of Constitutional Square, commonly known as City Square in Kampala. The debate follows President Yoweri Museveni’s letter to the Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjati Aisha Minsa Kabanda, to study the proposal by businessman Hassan Bulwadda of developing 2 acres of City Square land into a modern, eco-friendly real estate complex comprising a hotel, shopping mall and other commercial facilities, with a solar power system among the other proposed features.
Before even a feasibility study is undertaken, some civil society organisations and activists have already come up protesting against the presidential guidance without first waiting for the details.
It is very technically possible to develop the City Square while at the same time putting the environmental concerns into consideration. The challenge with some Ugandans is that they talk much without researching first. Some want to politicise every issue without looking at the benefits.
There is an opportunity to look beyond the simple question of whether an investor should develop the site and, instead ask a more constructive question: If development is considered, how can it be done in a way that protects the environment and retains public value? Uganda needs investment. Kampala needs jobs, businesses, hotels, offices and modern infrastructure. But Kampala also needs trees, public spaces, functioning drainage systems and areas where people can escape the congestion of the city centre. Development and environmental conservation should, therefore, not automatically be treated as opposing objectives.
The practicability
The American company has also promoted reforestation in some areas. Since its completion in 2022, Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg has created key economic impacts, including job creation boosting household incomes, regional development including upgraded roads, bus links and railway connections. The German government is heavily benefiting through export markets across Europe and beyond.
This brings me to the ongoing debate surrounding the future of Constitutional Square, commonly known as City Square in Kampala. The debate follows President Yoweri Museveni’s letter to the Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjati Aisha Minsa Kabanda, to study the proposal by businessman Hassan Bulwadda of developing 2 acres of City Square land into a modern, eco-friendly real estate complex comprising a hotel, shopping mall and other commercial facilities, with a solar power system among the other proposed features.
Before even a feasibility study is undertaken, some civil society organisations and activists have already come up protesting against the presidential guidance without first waiting for the details.
It is very technically possible to develop the City Square while at the same time putting the environmental concerns into consideration. The challenge with some Ugandans is that they talk much without researching first. Some want to politicise every issue without looking at the benefits.
There is an opportunity to look beyond the simple question of whether an investor should develop the site and, instead ask a more constructive question: If development is considered, how can it be done in a way that protects the environment and retains public value? Uganda needs investment. Kampala needs jobs, businesses, hotels, offices and modern infrastructure. But Kampala also needs trees, public spaces, functioning drainage systems and areas where people can escape the congestion of the city centre. Development and environmental conservation should, therefore, not automatically be treated as opposing objectives.
The practicability
One practical solution would be to use the land more efficiently through vertical development. Instead of spreading buildings across the entire two acres, a multi-storey complex could accommodate offices, shops, restaurants, conference facilities and other businesses on a relatively small footprint. The remaining space could be used for trees, gardens, pedestrian walkways and publicly accessible areas.
The UNICEF and WFP premises in Mbuya demonstrate how a major development can incorporate environmental considerations into its design. This complex uses solar energy, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, sewage treatment and energy-efficient design. More than 50% of the existing greenery was targeted for retention. This approach means the developers did not simply look at development as more important, but incorporated environmental protection into the development itself.
A City Square development could adapt similar principles: Solar panels could generate part of the building’s electricity, rainwater could be collected from rooftops and stored for suitable non-potable uses, such as landscaping and cleaning. Energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation and the maximum practical use of natural light could also reduce the building’s environmental footprint. The city’s drainage challenges should also be considered.
Kampala’s rapid expansion has increased the amount of paved and built-up surfaces, meaning that large volumes of rainwater can run quickly into drainage systems. A development at City Square should, therefore, not simply channel all rainwater away.
Additionally, development should not automatically mean replacing nature with concrete. Mature trees that do not interfere with essential construction could be retained, while additional trees could be planted around buildings, pedestrian routes and public spaces. This is particularly important because City Square is not simply another vacant plot. Recent public debate has highlighted its role as a green and civic space in the central business district. Parliament has also described it as one of the remaining green spaces in the city, while different stakeholders have raised questions about how its public and environmental functions should be protected.
An investor could, for example, develop a commercial business complex including shaded pedestrian walkways, seating, gardens, public toilets, bicycle facilities and spaces for civic or cultural activities. Imagine a City Square where a modern multi-storey complex provides offices, shops, restaurants and hotel facilities, where solar panels generate part of the electricity, where rainwater is harvested, where waste is separated for recycling, where existing trees are preserved, new ones planted and where people can enjoy shaded public spaces.
The writer is an NRM Cadre
The UNICEF and WFP premises in Mbuya demonstrate how a major development can incorporate environmental considerations into its design. This complex uses solar energy, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, sewage treatment and energy-efficient design. More than 50% of the existing greenery was targeted for retention. This approach means the developers did not simply look at development as more important, but incorporated environmental protection into the development itself.
A City Square development could adapt similar principles: Solar panels could generate part of the building’s electricity, rainwater could be collected from rooftops and stored for suitable non-potable uses, such as landscaping and cleaning. Energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation and the maximum practical use of natural light could also reduce the building’s environmental footprint. The city’s drainage challenges should also be considered.
Kampala’s rapid expansion has increased the amount of paved and built-up surfaces, meaning that large volumes of rainwater can run quickly into drainage systems. A development at City Square should, therefore, not simply channel all rainwater away.
Additionally, development should not automatically mean replacing nature with concrete. Mature trees that do not interfere with essential construction could be retained, while additional trees could be planted around buildings, pedestrian routes and public spaces. This is particularly important because City Square is not simply another vacant plot. Recent public debate has highlighted its role as a green and civic space in the central business district. Parliament has also described it as one of the remaining green spaces in the city, while different stakeholders have raised questions about how its public and environmental functions should be protected.
An investor could, for example, develop a commercial business complex including shaded pedestrian walkways, seating, gardens, public toilets, bicycle facilities and spaces for civic or cultural activities. Imagine a City Square where a modern multi-storey complex provides offices, shops, restaurants and hotel facilities, where solar panels generate part of the electricity, where rainwater is harvested, where waste is separated for recycling, where existing trees are preserved, new ones planted and where people can enjoy shaded public spaces.
The writer is an NRM Cadre