Urban Resilience and Climate Adaptation: A Conversation with the Mayor of Freetown

When: Wednesday 18 September 2024, 17.00 – 18.30

Where: Blackett Building, LT1, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus 

In partnership with C40, join us for an engaging discussion with Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of the C40 Cities Network to hear her thoughts on the future of urban sustainability and policy, and the progress made towards achieving SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.  

In this discussion, chaired by Professor Frank Kelly, Yvonne will address the challenges and opportunities that cities face in the 21^st century, with a particular focus on Least Developed countries. She will share her vision for a sustainable Freetown, speaking on the importance of data-driven policies and community-led solutions. The discussion will provide an opportunity to explore how cities can balance growth and sustainability, ensuring a high quality of life for residents, whilst taking steps to tackle climate change and protect the environment.  

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has been a transformative leader in Freetown, spearheading initiatives that have significantly impacted urban development, environmental stability and community resilience. Her innovative approach to governance and sustainable urban planning has gained international recognition, making her a leading voice in the global conversation on sustainable cities.

The event will be followed by a drinks reception in the foyer.

Please register to attend on Eventbrite.

Why Engage?

Engage with the Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, as she leads the city’s renewal through an inclusive, data-driven approach to urban development.  This spans systems engineering and innovation, addressing critical challenges like environmental degradation, flood resilience, water and sanitation, and the impacts of extreme heat. To address these challenges Freetown’s City Council has launched a climate action strategy to strengthen resilience and reduce carbon emissions, whilst driving human development and economic transformation.

Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr engaging community members during the 2023 Beat the Heat campaign to cool and clean the city’s airscape (Photo: copyright Eric Hubbard)