A systematic review of nature-based solutions in informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Andreas, Johannes
Corada-Perez, Karina
Mfune, John KE
Thorn, Jesssica PR
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The rapid expansion of informal settlements places significant pressure on social-ecological systems, contributing to climate vulnerability and encroachment into public spaces. Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognised as effective interventions for enhancing urban resilience by regulating ecosystem functions, sustaining ecosystem service provision, attenuating climate-related hazards, and strengthening adaptive capacity. Yet, empirical evidence from informal settlements remains scarce, despite these settlements accommodating approximately 59% of the urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa. Scholarship on urban green infrastructure in informal settlements often emphasises limited benefits while ignoring disbenefits and environmental hazards. This systematic review synthesises current knowledge on nature-based solutions in informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the spatial and temporal evolution of studies, including biases in leadership, funding, and publication outlets, as well as the types of nature-based solutions implemented, their ecosystem services and disservices, barriers, and actors involved. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Of the 1632 studies initially identified, 54 met the inclusion criteria. Our review shows significant knowledge gaps in nature-based solutions remain in informal settlements, slums, and peri-urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa, with most research conducted in South Africa, followed by Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. This review identifies 38 types of nature-based solutions, with trees being the most cited (48.1%), followed by open green spaces (38.9%), gardens (29.6%), public and private parks (27.7%), wetlands and rivers (24.1% each), highlighting their potential to deliver multiple ecosystem services and support livelihoods. Effectiveness is constrained by outdated policies, weak institutional capacity, insecure land tenure, and limited community participation. Implementation is largely state- and partnership-driven, with limited community and academic engagement. Governments have led greening and restoration initiatives, although budget allocations often prioritise formal urban areas. Future research should therefore incorporate multilingual literature to provide a more balanced, comprehensive, and inclusive understanding of nature-based applications across Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, greater use of quantitative methods is needed to assess ecosystem service supply and demand, generating evidence to support urban planners and policymakers in the design, management, and implementation of effective NbS strategies for informal and peri-urban settlements.
Date Issued
2026-12-01
Date Acceptance
2026-08-15
Citation
Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 2026, 32
ISSN
2665-9727
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
101473
End Page
101473
Journal / Book Title
Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Volume
32
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
101473
Date Publish Online
2026-08-18