Sustainable city and urban development plan for Saint-Louis
Senegal
Strategically located between the mouth of the river that gives the country its name and the vast coastline, the Senegalese city of St. Louis is one of the most important cities in West Africa. The city was founded on a small island by French settlers and was at one time one of the most important cities in West Africa. Today, this historic area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. But rising sea levels, continued coastal erosion and frequent flooding from the river are threatening the city, its heritage sites and its residential areas, including the Guet Ndar neighbourhood, one of the most densely populated in the country.
Metropolitan sustainable city strategy
The IDOM Consulting team first developed a sustainable urban strategy for the entire Saint-Louis hinterland, balancing urban and economic activities, the emerging natural gas industry, with natural risk management, in particular water. The challenges were addressed through participatory institutional and citizen planning, covering 805 km² with an investment plan of more than €1 billion in public and private funds.
In a second phase, the Urban Master Plan was developed, addressing key issues such as housing density, water, waste and energy management, climate resilience, green infrastructure, mobility and economic development, with a model for urban growth in balance with natural resources and new models for residential areas. The action plan, with 11 priority projects and innovative planning policies, aims to tackle the issue of urban resilience in high-risk areas and to promote sustainable, risk-compliant self-building.
