Sustainability in Kano: How Green is This Urban Space?
so here's the deal with kano and sustainability - it's complicated. i spent two weeks here as a freelance photographer trying to capture the city's green spaces, and let me tell you, it's not what you'd expect from a place that's been around since 999 AD.
first off, the weather here is brutal. we're talking 40°C (104°F) during the day, and that's not even counting the harmattan season when everything gets covered in dust. the city's trying though - they've got this massive reforestation project going on around the tiga dam, which is about an hour's drive from the city center. locals say it's helping with the desert encroachment, but honestly, you can still see the sahara creeping closer every year.
*rent situation: if you're thinking of moving here, a decent one-bedroom in the city center will run you about 150,000 naira (roughly $100 USD) per month. not bad, right? but here's the catch - power cuts are constant, so you'll need a generator, which kind of defeats the whole eco-friendly thing.
overheard from a local at the kano golf club: "they keep talking about solar panels, but have you seen the price of those things? my cousin spent half his salary on one panel."
the green spaces that actually exist:
- kofar mata dye pits (been around since the 15th century, still using traditional methods)
- kano zoological garden (needs some serious TLC)
- dala hill (the view is worth the climb, promise)
- minna market area (surprisingly has some tree coverage)
waste management: this is where things get messy. the city generates about 2,500 tons of waste daily, but only processes maybe 60% of it. the rest? well, you can guess. there's this ongoing debate about recycling programs, but implementation is another story entirely.
random fact i learned: kano used to be known for its advanced irrigation systems back in the day. the ancient kanawa people were onto something with their water management, but modern infrastructure hasn't quite caught up.
transportation: okadas (motorcycle taxis) are everywhere, which isn't exactly carbon neutral, but they're working on expanding the bus rapid transit system. baby steps, right?
local initiatives worth mentioning:
- tree planting campaigns during the rainy season
- some schools are starting environmental clubs
- a few NGOs pushing for cleaner water systems
so is kano sustainable? ehh, it's complicated. they're trying, but there's a long way to go. the city's got potential though - with its history of innovation and the current push for modernization, maybe they'll figure it out. just don't expect to find many vegan cafes or bike lanes anytime soon.
quick tips if you're visiting*:
- bring a reusable water bottle (trust me on this)
- the best time to visit is between november and february
- check out the local crafts scene - some artisans are using recycled materials
- always negotiate taxi fares before getting in
for more info on kano's development projects, check out kano state government portal or join the expat group on reddit for real-time updates from people actually living there.
the thing about sustainability in kano is that it's not about perfect solutions - it's about making do with what you have while trying to do better. and honestly? that's kind of refreshing in a world obsessed with perfection.
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- https://topiclo.com/post/the-real-cost-of-utilities-and-bills-in-ubungo-and-why-it-feels-like-a-game-of-survival
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- https://topiclo.com/post/why-nerima-is-ranked-one-of-the-fastest-growing-cities-and-why-thats-kinda-weird
- https://topiclo.com/post/frozen-fingers-forgotten-cables-and-a-surprisingly-decent-chai