Transformative Riverine Management Programme, Durban
The Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP) moves eThekwini Municipality from isolated department efforts to one system-wide approach to its urban rivers, treating natural ecosystems as infrastructure to manage floods and water. In October 2024 it won a Development Project Award from the International Federation of Municipal Engineering.
Inside the project
The Mayor described the programme as creating jobs, supporting community enterprises and building recycling value chains, and pointed to the Sihlanzimvelo programme, in which community co-operatives clean and maintain streams.
A business case prepared with the C40 Cities Finance Facility sets the ambition of adapting some 7,400 km of streams and rivers to flooding, drought and higher temperatures.
Objectives
- Adapt the city's 7,400 km of streams and rivers to floods, drought and heat
- Create jobs and co-operative enterprises in river maintenance and recycling
- Manage rivers as natural infrastructure across municipal departments
Approach
- Community co-operatives are contracted to clear and maintain stream sections, building local enterprises while reducing flood risk.
- Departments pool resources on river corridors rather than acting separately.
Sources
Inspect 2 sources
- durban.gov.za ↗https://www.durban.gov.za/press-statement/City%E2%80%99s+Transformative+River+Management+Programme+Wins+International+Award
- use.metropolis.org ↗https://use.metropolis.org/case-studies/ethekwini-municipality-transformative-riverine-management-programme
Explore related climate work
Find other projects and tools for monitoring, restoration and climate adaptation.
Browse projectsBrowse tools