Regen Cities : A systemic framework for regenerative urban development

Regenopolis helps businesses, communities and cities design regenerative models that heal landscapes, empower indigenous people and deliver strong financial returns.

Regenopolis, commissioned by the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org initiative, conducted a strategic assessment to develop commercially viable pathways for land restoration in the Sahel. This project aimed to enhance tree-based agricultural value chains, supporting the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative in ecological restoration, climate resilience, and local development. 

Challenge

Regenopolis, commissioned by the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org initiative, conducted a strategic assessment to develop commercially viable pathways for land restoration in the Sahel. This project aimed to enhance tree-based agricultural value chains, supporting the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative in ecological restoration, climate resilience, and local development. 

Regenopolis helps businesses, communities and cities design regenerative models that heal landscapes, empower indigenous people and deliver strong financial returns.

How Regenopolis helped

Approach

Led by the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org platform and in collaboration with Archipel&Co, Regenopolis played a central role in this strategic assessment. Our involvement included several key activities:

  • Mapping and prioritization of 20 tree crop value chains, focusing on 9 with the highest environmental, social, and market potential.
  • In-depth analysis of four flagship value chains: baobab, balanites, moringa, and shea.
  • Identification of barriers and levers to scaling, including regulatory, financial, technical, and ecosystem-wide factors.
  • Development of recommendations for multistakeholder partnerships, investment strategies, branding, and carbon finance.
  • Engagement with over 100 stakeholders, including SMEs, off-takers, research institutions, development finance institutions (DFIs), and government agencies. 
regen travel

Our impact

The project resulted in significant outputs and outcomes

icone 1 regenopolis

Conceptualization of the Regen Cities model

and piloting of initial hubs

icone 1 regenopolis

Identification of more than 15 regenerative urban projects

across Africa

icone 1 regenopolis

Design of tools and frameworks

for impact measurement, project structuring, and investor engagement

the regenerative awekening

Case studies

vivek npmyr5zrnzy unsplash

CityLab Africa : Co-Creating the Cities of Tomorrow

We facilitate genuine community engagement that create shared value and allow corporates and organizations to build resilience and authenticity.

Read this case study

unlocking pathways for land restoration in the sahel 2

Unlocking pathways for land restoration in the Sahel

We facilitate genuine community engagement that create shared value and allow corporates and organizations to build resilience and authenticity.

Read this case study

alliance for the ggw 2

The Alliance for the Great Green Wall

We facilitate genuine community engagement that create shared value and allow corporates and organizations to build resilience and authenticity.

Read this case study

Join the place-based regeneration movement