Volunteers and Researchers Fight Urban Green Space Loss in Yaounde
As concrete sprawl and rapid population growth reduce wooded areas in Cameroon's capital, volunteers, gardeners, and university students are stepping in to map, plant, and defend remaining green spaces.
Key points
- Yaounde's urban area expanded from nearly 33 sq miles in 1984 to 181 sq miles by 2024.
- Wooded areas in the city dropped from 28.6% to 5.4% over the same period.
- Self-taught gardener Jean-Baptiste Tchengang has trained about 300 people in gardening and composting since 2022.
- Urban-planning student Mireille Nonga and classmates have mapped green spaces and identified 10 potential sites for reforestation.
- The MoVe Yaounde project, launched in January 2024, includes an urban renewal plan with planned green spaces.
What happened
Concrete sprawl in Yaounde has significantly reduced the city's trees and parks. According to a study by the University of Yaounde, the city's land coverage expanded from nearly 33 sq miles in 1984 to 181 sq miles by 2024, while the share of wooded areas dropped from 28.6% to 5.4%.
Residents have watched public parks disappear. Sosthere Hugues Ngono noted the loss of a public park in Essos, which was replaced by a private car park in February last year.
Context
Yaounde's rapid development is driven by a growing population and demand for housing. The United Nations put the capital population at 5.1 million in 2025. With formal housing falling short, informal settlements have frequently been built over valleys, wetlands, and hillsides.
In response to the loss of greenery, local initiatives have emerged. Self-taught gardener Jean-Baptiste Tchengang has run community workshops on composting and plant preservation since 2022, helping train about 300 people. Additionally, urban-planning student Mireille Nonga and 20 classmates have mapped green spaces since 2023, identifying 10 potential sites for reforestation.
Authorities have also introduced initiatives such as the MoVe Yaounde project, launched in January 2024, which features a four-year urban renewal plan including about 1,000 sq metres of planned green space.
What's next
Volunteers continue to press for green space preservation and reforestation while awaiting the implementation of the green spaces promised under the MoVe Yaounde project.
Why it matters
The loss of urban green spaces in Yaounde diminishes natural flood defenses and carbon sinks, leaving residents to rely on grassroots conservation efforts.
What we know
- Yaounde expanded from nearly 33 sq miles in 1984 to 181 sq miles by 2024.
- The share of wooded areas in Yaounde dropped from 28.6% to 5.4% between 1984 and 2024.
- The UN put Yaounde's population at 5.1 million in 2025.
- Jean-Baptiste Tchengang has trained or helped about 300 people in gardening and plant preservation workshops since starting in 2022.
- Mireille Nonga and 20 classmates have mapped Yaounde's green spaces and identified 10 potential sites for reforestation since 2023.
- The MoVe Yaounde project was launched in January 2024 to include a four-year urban renewal plan with about 1,000 sq metres of planned green space.
What remains unclear
- The official response to the loss of Essos park remains unaddressed as the official in charge of the MoVe Yaounde project did not respond to requests for comment.
How the story developed
Report published on urban green space loss in Yaounde
The Guardian published an article detailing volunteer and researcher efforts to fight the loss of green spaces in Cameroon's capital.
Original source
