Rapid urbanisation – evident in the growth of cities like Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala – poses a special challenge to East Africa’s urban landscape and contributes to the widespread development of informal settlements. This expansion places immense pressure on existing infrastructure, leading to critical gaps in transportation, water, sanitation, and energy provision. These challenges are aggravated by the impacts of climate change, including escalating weather extremes and increasing water scarcity.