Somalia’s cities are rapidly growing, presenting a unique opportunity to transform urban centers into engines of resilience and economic growth. However, unplanned urbanization, climate risks, and limited infrastructure challenge sustainable development, particularly for vulnerable groups like internally displaced persons, women, and youth. By strengthening urban planning, governance, and access to climate finance, Somalia can harness green growth opportunities to build inclusive, well-planned cities that provide equitable services, create jobs, and enhance climate resilience.

The Green Urban Growth (GUG) project, funded by the FCDO, aims to support Somalia and Somaliland to develop well-planned cities that provide equitable services, create jobs, and enhance climate resilience and adaptation.
Effective urban planning, robust governance structure changes, and prudent infrastructure financing models will achieve this. This project is leveraging data-driven decision making to address the dynamic population and demographic shifts in cities across Somalia and Somaliland.
GUG focuses on three key intervention areas:
• Strengthening urban planning and governance.
• Developing a pipeline of green infrastructure projects in water, waste, and energy.
• Mobilizing climate and private sector finance to scale sustainable urban services.
Consequently, by fostering public-private collaboration, GUG promotes well-planned, resilient cities that drive economic growth and social inclusion.

As the lead on this project, DT Global will achieve the following outcomes:
• Strengthened Urban Planning & Governance: Develop integrated city-wide spatial plans incorporating climate risk data and inclusive decision-making processes.
• Improved Service Delivery: Establish governance models that enhance coordination between formal and informal actors to expand equitable urban services.
• Green Infrastructure Development: Through Technical Assistants, prepare a pipeline of climate-resilient infrastructure projects (water, waste, energy) through feasibility studies and project design.
• Increased Urban Financing: Mobilize climate and private sector funding to scale up sustainable infrastructure investments.
• Enhanced Data Systems: Consolidate and update key urban data (population, displacement, climate, gender, infrastructure, security) for informed planning.
As a result of the implementation, GUG will achieve the following results:
• Implementation of city-wide urban expansion plans in key Somali cities.
• Development of a portfolio of bankable green infrastructure projects for financing and implementation.
• Strengthened capacity of local governments and private sector actors to access and manage urban financing.
• Increased private sector investment in sustainable urban services through de-risking mechanisms.
• Improved access to essential urban services for vulnerable populations, including IDPs, women, and youth.