Expert Group Meeting Concludes with Strong Calls to Enhance the Role of Intermediary Cities in Bridging Urban-Rural and Urban-Nature Connections
Jinja, Uganda 17th – 19th April 2024
With nearly 80 percent of the world’s impoverished population residing in rural areas, bridging the gap between urban and rural regions is imperative for sustainable development, amidst the global phenomenon of rapid urbanization. In this context, a two-day expert group meeting was held in Jinja, Uganda, to address the urgent need for optimizing the role and potential of intermediary cities for urban-rural synergy and territorial resilience in East Africa.
Central to the deliberations was the recognition of intermediary cities as key players in facilitating the exchange of goods and services between urban and rural areas while promoting key aspects such as the sustainability of food systems and ecosystems. Participants from diverse backgrounds converged to explore strategies for enhancing urban-rural linkages, along the themes of leveraging digital solutions, preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable food systems, and the use of e-commerce platforms.
Insights gleaned from East African case studies underscored the importance of ecological conservation and effective governance in intermediary cities. Challenges such as multi-level cooperation and transboundary issues were addressed, emphasizing the need for collaborative frameworks and innovative funding mechanisms. Continued capacity development to improve policy effectiveness also emerged as a quick-win opportunity for intermediary cities.
In addition, some partners underscored the need to reimagine intermediary cities as integrated ecosystems, where, for example, urban and peri-urban farming play pivotal roles.
Overall, the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify gaps, and propose actionable solutions. The outcomes are poised to inform future global events, advancing the discourse on ecologically sensitive urban-rural linkages.
Additionally, discussions highlighted the importance of inclusive governance, diverse stakeholder involvement, and the development of comprehensive frameworks to drive sustainable development in intermediary cities across Africa and beyond.
