Figure 1.3 SUED Principles

1.4 SUED principles

The development of the UEP and identification and prioritisation of proposed projects are grounded on key principles that support the programme’s aim to create market driven growth and build resilience. The Atkins SUED team has defined these principles as:

Figure 1.3 SUED Principles

Resilient: Shifts in the economy Adaptive infrastructure to climate change Smart solutions Resource Efficient: Circular economy and zero water Water and energy management Rural - urban linages

Socially Inclusive: Socio-economic trends Vulnerable groups Immigration/migration

Source: Atkins Sustainable: Low carbon development Green energy Green infrastructure

Sustainable: The UEP will promote sustainable infrastructure that supports the development of LM while minimising the environmental impacts of increased population and economic activity in the future, as well as protecting the abundant natural resources within the County.

Socially inclusive: The GeSI study has identified social groups that are excluded from the socio-economic activities within Lamu Municipality (i.e.: elderly people, youth, PWD, and women). The UEP aims at including these groups in the decision and development process, VCs’ development, and infrastructure projects, to ensure that their benefits are equitable and accessible to all.

Resilience: The prioritised projects will have to be resilient against shifts in the economy, both for domestic and international markets, to remain competitive. They will also need to be adaptive to the climate change impacts specific to the area such as lesser rainfalls and higher temperatures, while ensuring technological advancement through smart solutions which can be introduced where possible.

Resource efficiency: To preserve the environmental and marine assets and agricultural land, the UEP will be directing economic growth towards resource efficiency, by integrating the VCs to establish a circular economy promoting minimisation of waste and optimising water and energy use, whilst aiming to promote rural - urban linkages (including island-mainland).

While these principles are closely linked and overlap in their definition, each one of them emphasises a different aspect that is not fully captured by the others. Thus, it is important that all four principles are embedded and balanced in the UEP and its implementation. In addition to these principles, it is critical to ensure the UEP develops the competitiveness of the Municipality. At its core the UEP seeks to create employment opportunities that are accessible to all and set out economic measures with supporting actions and projects that can help directly or indirectly lift the local population out of poverty, whilst supporting crucial livelihoods such as the informal sector. All proposed projects (VCs and infrastructure projects) contained within the UEP have been screened and refined for their contribution to improving livelihoods by considering availability; accessibility; affordability; acceptability; and adaptability, across special interest groups as well as low-income groups, the urban poor and informal sector. The aim is to minimize inequalities and improve access to job opportunities for optimum benefits to the overall Municipal communities.

Social exclusion makes it difficult to achieve social objectives, such as reducing poverty, due to often hidden barriers in reaching those who are socially marginalised. Exclusion also causes conflict, and it is almost impossible to achieve economic gains in such conflict environments.

PWD, women, the elderly, and youth in LM face challenges that are either caused by, or lead to, exclusion, and recommendations for their inclusion are fully integrated in the UEP. People who are excluded are not ‘just like’ the rest of the poor, only poorer. They are also disadvantaged by who they are or where they live, and as a result are locked out of the benefits of development and economic growth.