Sustainability in Kano: How Green is This Urban Space? (Seriously, Like, *Really*?)
okay, so like, I just got back from Kano. and honestly? it’s… a thing. a complicated, dusty, beautiful, frustrating thing. i’d been following this thread on Reddit - r/KanoLife - and everyone’s talking about how it’s ‘up and coming,’ but you know, ‘up and coming’ often means ‘still figuring itself out.’ i’m talking about sustainability, obviously. not like, saving the planet in a single weekend, but you know, the little stuff.
first off, the weather. it’s like… a perpetual twilight. think August in a basement, but with more dust. it’s consistently around 32 degrees Celsius (89 Fahrenheit), and the humidity is clinging to you like a bad decision. you can practically taste the heat. it’s a short flight to Kaduna, which is baking hotter, and a longer drive to Abuja - that’s where the real, like, ‘green’ initiatives seem to be popping up, apparently. but Kano? it’s… different.
I’m talking about the cost of living. let’s be real, it’s cheap. really cheap. I’m talking $200-$300 a month for a decent apartment, assuming you don’t mind a slightly questionable plumbing situation. I found this breakdown on Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/Kano-Nigeria/cost-of-living/) - rent’s low, groceries are dirt cheap, but transport? forget about it. you’re mostly relying on danfo (those crazy minibuses) which are basically a gamble every time. I almost got run over twice. Seriously.
Speaking of transport, that’s a big part of the problem. The city’s sprawling, and there’s not a ton of public transport infrastructure. A lot of the ‘green’ efforts are focused on trying to improve the danfo fleet - replacing some of the older, ridiculously polluting ones with electric vehicles. It’s a slow process. I heard a rumor from a guy at a mechanic shop (overheard gossip, obviously) that they’re trying to get a pilot program going with a few electric danfos, but it’s mostly just talk.
*Waste Management: Kano generates a lot of waste. Like, a truly staggering amount. The city’s recycling program is… well, it’s a work in progress. There are a few NGOs trying to do some good, but it’s mostly informal waste pickers who are doing the heavy lifting. I saw some incredible street art made from discarded materials - seriously impressive, but also a stark reminder of the scale of the problem. Check out this local Yelp review (https://www.yelp.com/biz/kano-waste-management-kano) - it’s brutal, but honest.
Green Spaces: Okay, so there aren’t exactly lush parks everywhere. But there are a few pockets of green. The Zoo is decent, and there’s a botanical garden - the Kano State Botanical Garden (https://www.kanobotanicalgarden.com/) - which is actually pretty chill. It’s a good place to escape the heat and just… breathe. I spent a couple of hours there sketching.
Local Businesses: I stumbled across this amazing little shop selling organic produce - it’s called ‘Green Roots’ (https://www.greenrootskano.com/). They’re trying to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce food miles. It’s a tiny operation, but it’s a good sign.
Here’s a quick gear list for Kano, just in case you’re thinking of going:
*Wide-brimmed hat: Seriously, you’ll thank me.
*Reusable water bottle: Bottled water is everywhere, but it’s a pain.
*Mosquito repellent: Trust me.
*Comfortable walking shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
*A good book: For those inevitable downtime moments.
Overheard Gossip (from a taxi driver): “The government talks about green, but they’re more interested in building more roads. Roads for the rich, you know?”
Overheard Gossip (from a shopkeeper):* “My grandfather used to say Kano was greener. Now it’s just… hot and dusty. But people are waking up. Slowly.”
Honestly, Kano feels like it’s at a crossroads. There’s potential, but it’s going to take a lot of work - and a serious dose of commitment - to make a real difference. It’s not a ‘green’ city in the way you might think, but it’s a city with a soul, and a resilience that’s pretty damn impressive. Just… bring sunscreen. And maybe a helmet.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/what-is-chelyabinsk-famous-for-icons-history-and-legends
- https://topiclo.com/post/nassau-where-the-light-hits-different
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-cost-of-living-in-mosul-monthly-budget-breakdown
- https://topiclo.com/post/is-owerri-familyfriendly-parks-schools-and-safety-spoiler-its-complicated
- https://topiclo.com/post/seasonal-weather-in-pyongyang-what-to-expect-throughout-the-year-and-a-few-weird-stories