Urban Greening and Nature Based Solutions Potential in Mitigating Climate Change Impacts in Municipalities

Climate change continues to exert significant pressure on urban areas, particularly in developing countries where rapid urbanisation intersects with poor infrastructure and fragile ecosystems. Kenyan municipalities are increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced risks, such as flooding, heatwaves, and water scarcity, posing threats to both livelihoods and built environments. In response, urban greening and nature-based solutions have emerged as innovative approaches to mitigate climate change impacts while enhancing urban sustainability and liveability. This review explores the application and potential of urban greening and nature-based solutions in selected Kenyan urban areas, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kiambu. It adopts a qualitative methodology that involves a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, national and county policy documents, as well as case study examples drawn from ongoing or completed greening and nature-based solutions projects. Findings reveal that interventions such as riparian buffer restoration, urban forests, green parks, green belts, and constructed wetlands contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, and ecosystem restoration. Nairobi’s Karura Forest, for instance, demonstrates the long-term benefits of protecting green spaces, while Mombasa’s mangrove rehabilitation efforts offer strong evidence for ecosystem-based adaptation. Despite these successes, challenges such as weak enforcement, funding constraints, and lack of technical capacity persist. This paper recommends the strengthening of institutional frameworks, integration of climate adaptation into urban planning, and multi-stakeholder engagement to scale up nature-based solutions. The review concludes that urban greening, if adequately supported, holds substantial promise in mitigating climate impacts and promoting resilient and inclusive urban environments in Kenya.