Imagine a future where cities don’t just expand outward but regenerate from within—where nature flourishes alongside skyscrapers and urban landscapes breathe life into the environment rather than depleting it. Imagine a future where cities contribute to overall well-being, conservation, and restoration of biodiversity beyond its borders, that provides cities with clean air, water, and food. 

This vision is at the heart of Generation Restoration, a groundbreaking initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ICLEI. Launched in 2023, this global effort brings together 24 cities across 19 countries. Through collaboration with local governments and communities, this initiative showcases how urban areas can drive a nature-positive future. As this movement gains momentum, we take a closer look at recent progress in three pilot cities, Dakar, Curitiba, and Kochi, where innovative urban restoration is reshaping the future. 

Dakar: Advancing a Green Belt and Blue-Green Infrastructure

On February 11, UNEP participated in a workshop organized by Senegal’s Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition to present the project’s progress. The workshop gathered over 130 participants, including government officials, academics, civil society leaders, and youth representatives to discuss the project and its progress. Dakar faces growing challenges related to urban heat, desertification, flooding, and water scarcity. To address these issues, they are developing a holistic land-use plan for the greater Dakar metropolitan area to establish a green belt and a network of blue-green infrastructure to combat ecological degradation and scale up ongoing restoration efforts.

Amongst the participants was Honourable MP Marie Angélique Diouf, who said “As a member of parliament, I'm determined to support this plea for a biodiversity-friendly urban planning policy, and I'm committed to working alongside those involved in this project to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our cities.” Additional support came from national government representatives.

Dakar’s next steps include continuing pilot implementation in priority restoration sites, strengthening institutional collaborations, securing additional funding, and developing community engagement initiatives.

Curitiba: Scaling Up Urban Restoration and Carbon Markets

Curitiba in Brazil, is a leader in conservation and agroecological initiatives, making it a key pilot city for Generation Restoration. From February 18 to 20, the UNEP project team met with municipal leaders to refine the city’s pilot project. At its core is a digital platform linking restoration projects with businesses seeking carbon offsets. By facilitating climate token trade, the platform supports community-led restoration while promoting climate neutrality, social equity, and job creation.

During the visit, UNEP explored Curitiba’s sustainability projects. The Solar Energy Pyramid repurposes a former landfill into a solar energy hub, supplying 30 percent of the city’s municipal energy needs. The Water Reserve of the Future restores 300,000 square meters of urban land to secure water resources. The Seedling Nursery produces 500,000 tree seedlings annually for reforestation. The Urban Data Hub, or Hypervisor, enhances urban resilience through real-time data-sharing. 

Curitiba’s next steps include finalizing the carbon credit platform, expanding restoration through public-private partnerships, and positioning its model for replication in other cities. 

Kochi: Revitalizing the Thevara-Perandoor Canal

Finally, on February 20, UNEP attended the “Flowing Forward: Thevara-Perandoor Canal Restoration” seminar in Kochi and inaugurated a photo exhibition on the canal’s history. The event, attended by Kochi’s Mayor Adv. M. Anil Kumar, gathered experts, officials, and residents to discuss restoration strategies and the Generation Restoration pilot project.. Kochi’s project focuses on restoring the Thevara-Perandoor canal, a historical and important canal in the city, through a combination of green and grey infrastructure, such as developing green corridors along the canal, ramping up investments in sewage treatment and waste management systems, among other measures, to enhance urban resilience. UNEP shared insights from Barranquilla, another Generation Restoration city from Colombia, offering successful waterway restoration models. The photo exhibition engaged the community in recognizing the canal’s significance for resilience and prosperity.

Next, Kochi will finalize a participatory restoration plan incorporating expert and community input, and strengthen partnerships to mobilize resources. 

Next Steps for Generation Restoration

The missions in Curitiba, Kochi, and Dakar highlight the transformative power of urban ecosystem restoration. Moving forward, UNEP will support pilot cities in scaling their models, facilitate knowledge exchange to accelerate impact, and mobilize funding for long-term sustainability. By integrating nature-based solutions with innovative financing and community engagement, Generation Restoration is paving the way for greener, more resilient cities worldwide. Together, we can restore ecosystems and build a sustainable future for all.  
 

About Generation Restoration (2023-2025)  

The UNEP Generation Restoration project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focuses on scaling up urban ecosystem restoration. Running from 2023 to 2025, UNEP, in collaboration with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and ICLEI’s Global Biodiversity Centre, is working with 24 cities to address key political, technical, and financial challenges. The project has two key components: advocating for public and private investment in ecosystem restoration and job creation through nature-based solutions and empowering city stakeholders globally to replicate and scale restoration initiatives. This initiative stands as a contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework.  

About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 

The UN General Assembly has declared 2021–2030 a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research, and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration.