Transformative adaptation of rivers in an urban context: An ecological infrastructure and socio-ecological toolkit

The article presents a toolkit detailing ecological infrastructure and socio-ecological intervention options that seek to improve the overall health of rivers. It addresses issues commonly faced in riverine and riparian areas - and in so doing improves ecosystem goods and services. It aims at guiding practitioners, decision-and policy-makers, and anyone interested in the topic. This toolkit has been developed in collaboration with eThekwini Municipality (Durban) as a result of the CFF's ongoing cooperation since 2018.

The toolkit consists of three main parts. The first two unpack high-level contextual considerations, as well as the socio-ecological principles of transformative climate adaptation. The third part considers an in-depth suite of light-touch grey engineering and socio-ecological interventions that can be implemented at a localised scale and to address catchment issues.