This Round Table Lab aimed at reflecting, connecting and acting; where its objectives were to share the key FRACTAL insights and discuss next steps towards sustaining the learnings and outcomes.

While giving the overview of the project, Dr Burnet Mkandawire explained that this project is a collaborative involving nine cities in seven countries, which ensures that residents have clean and safe water plus good transport system.

In her remarks, the Acting Principal, Dr Nancy Chitera welcomed the delegates to the Polytechnic and encouraged all the participants to put into practice what they have learned during the project.

“This was a four-year project which had an extension of 18 months therefore after the findings and research from our experts we need to learn from them,” said Dr Chitera.

She further requested that this project should have an impact on the ground not just published articles only.

Before officially opening the event, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Blantyre City Council Costly Chanza explained that they were grateful to be part of this project which could help share and solve the challenges which the council face from time to time.

“As a city council we are the policy makers of the private and the public sector hence we have a big role to play in the climate issues,” Chanza said.

Chanza further said that Blantyre being a second largest city in the country takes seriously issues regarding the economy, development and health, since 60% of the population in the country resides in the cities.

Presentations were made about the Waste Management Initiatives, city climate resilience, round table discussions on City Burning issues and later a virtual meeting which included participants from all cities involved who shared their insights and findings.