By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki Sawyerr, has officially launched the Urban Greening Competition, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the city’s Central Business District and renewed efforts to make the capital greener, safer, and more people friendly.
The competition was unveiled during a press conference organised by the Freetown City Council, which brought together government officials, development partners, urban planners, creatives, students, and members of the media. The initiative forms part of broader plans to revitalise public spaces and improve the quality of life within the city centre.
Providing an overview of the project, Ing Sylvester Gouldson, Project Manager, explained that the competition is part of the City to City Cooperation partnership between Freetown and Zurich in Switzerland. He said the initiative is designed to respond to the growing challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate pressure, and the gradual decline of public spaces, particularly within the Central Business District.
Ing Gouldson noted that the project seeks to integrate climate action, city beautification, and improved public infrastructure while ensuring that communities play a central role in shaping the future of their city. He described the competition as a practical way of turning ideas into action through community involvement.
Formally launching the competition, Mayor Aki Sawyerr outlined the four key pillars underpinning the Central Business District regeneration programme, which is funded through the partnership with the City of Zurich. The first pillar focuses on pavement improvement. Although road construction falls under the mandate of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, the Mayor said collaboration between institutions has enabled the City Council to secure funding and jointly construct standard pavements on five major streets to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
The second pillar centres on car parking and traffic management. The Mayor announced plans to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone within the CBD. Under this system, parking will be regulated by time limits such as 30 minutes or one hour, a measure aimed at reducing congestion, improving order, and limiting the number of vehicles occupying the area at any given time.
Street lighting forms the third pillar of the regeneration programme. Mayor Aki Sawyerr described proper lighting as essential to restoring safety and vibrancy to the city centre, noting that poor lighting has contributed to insecurity and reduced activity, especially during evening hours.
The fourth pillar, urban greening, is the focus of the newly launched competition. The Mayor emphasised that urban greening goes beyond planting trees and includes vertical gardens, rooftop gardens, planted building facades, flower pots, and the creative use of small open spaces.
She stressed that the City Council has adopted a participatory approach. According to her, the competition is designed to give Freetonians the opportunity to contribute ideas, acknowledging the creativity of students, young professionals, local artists, and residents. The competition will focus on a defined area covering Walpole Street to Wilberforce Street and Siaka Stevens Street to Wallace Johnson Street.
Explaining the process, the Mayor said interested participants will take part in a guided site visit on 9 January, after which they will have about three weeks to develop and submit proposals. Entries may be submitted by individuals or teams and must include a site plan, concept design, material palette, and greenery layout. While professional drawings are encouraged, judging will prioritise innovation, feasibility, cost effectiveness, environmental benefit, and community value.
Representing UN Habitat, Trudy Morgan welcomed the initiative, describing it as a strong example of community led urban development. She said the competition promotes transparency, accountability, and community ownership, adding that the media will be able to follow the project from design to implementation. She announced that three top prizes of Le 10,000 each will be awarded for Innovation, Environmental Impact, and Clarity and Quality of Presentation.
Winners will be announced on 10 February, and their designs will be implemented by the Freetown City Council. Mayor Aki Sawyerr described the initiative as a defining moment in the transformation of the capital and officially declared the Urban Greening Competition open, calling it a powerful step toward a greener and more livable Freetown.
