Client: C40 Cities
"Inspired by his experiences in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, Njung’e hopes to create an imagery of African urban spaces that is more sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable. While including small transformational climate actions, he did not want to compromise on the cultural markers and everyday realities of these cities. When illustrating a utopian city that is ecologically and socially more sustainable, the diverse cultures of these spaces often get lost in the “big city vibe”, according to Njung’e. By empowering the vibrant identities of cities such as Nairobi or Addis Ababa, his plan was to not imagine a perfect future, but a feasible future that strives for urban wellbeing. At the same time, he wants to acknowledge traditional and indigenous knowledge and practices on climate action, considering that the African continent currently contributes to only 3 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. That is not to deny that there is still much work to do in terms of future climate resilience and compensating for increased urbanization and industrialization, amongst others. With his artworks, Njung’e hopes to challenge us to think differently, and to encourage consciousness, empathy, and collective action." C40 cities
"Inspired by his experiences in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, Njung’e hopes to create an imagery of African urban spaces that is more sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable. While including small transformational climate actions, he did not want to compromise on the cultural markers and everyday realities of these cities. When illustrating a utopian city that is ecologically and socially more sustainable, the diverse cultures of these spaces often get lost in the “big city vibe”, according to Njung’e. By empowering the vibrant identities of cities such as Nairobi or Addis Ababa, his plan was to not imagine a perfect future, but a feasible future that strives for urban wellbeing. At the same time, he wants to acknowledge traditional and indigenous knowledge and practices on climate action, considering that the African continent currently contributes to only 3 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. That is not to deny that there is still much work to do in terms of future climate resilience and compensating for increased urbanization and industrialization, amongst others. With his artworks, Njung’e hopes to challenge us to think differently, and to encourage consciousness, empathy, and collective action." C40 cities
