On June 19th and 20th, Caudan Arts Centre hosted a regional gathering, of which Moka Smart City was a proud sponsor.
A green gathering
The seminar on Sustainable Cities in the Indian Ocean was organised by the French embassy in Mauritius, in collaboration with ‘Club Export Réunion’ (based in Reunion Island) and its many partners in France and Mauritius. Over 200 players from various businesses and organisations involved in urban sustainability—the circular economy, transportation, green building, renewable energies, mobility and connectivity—attended the event, including 57 speakers from Mauritius, Reunion Island and metropolitan France, Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar and India. On the agenda: round table discussions addressing the major challenges of sustainable cities in a tropical and insular context. A panel of experts in the field also featured in the line-up of speakers: Gérard Wolf, advisor to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Sustainable Cities Task Force, and Hervé Boisguillaume, Project Director of the International Mission on Urban Planning at the Ministry of Ecologic and Solidarity Transition in Paris.
A platform for dialogue and solutions
Mauritius and Reunion Island both rank amongst the most densely populated countries in the world by total land area; together, they make for a viable laboratory of innovative solutions pertaining to the ambitions of urban sustainability. This seminar served as an ideal platform to shed light on the initiatives that have already been carried out by the sister-islands and to showcase their expertise in the Indian ocean and on the African continent. After the seminar, participants were asked to reflect on the next steps to transform the small islands across the Indian Ocean and the African continent into shining examples of cities of the future, that value and respect the environment.
Moka, a sustainable city
By virtue of its historical and geographical heritage, the city of Moka has all it needs to become the city of tomorrow. Located at the heart of the island, this region is growing at a remarkable rate, thanks to ENL Group’s integrated master plan. “For over ten years now, Moka Smart City has been developing itself based on a long-term vision and in accordance with the most stringent criteria when it comes to sustainable development. The project is backed by international experts and urbanists. Our philosophy: build a modern city that is in perpetual movement, on a human scale, and that’s a great place to live,” explains Johan Pilot, CEO of ENL Property and speaker at the seminar.
Rooted in a “citysmarting” concept, Moka aspires to be a hub for modern and sustainable development, where existing resources are valued and used in the most optimal way. A green, connected, productive and cultural city, Moka acquired the LEED for Neighborhood Development certification and is pursuing its strategy with this in mind.
Some of the most recent innovations include:
- The installation of 7,200 solar panels and filtered water fountains.
- The set-up of areas dedicated to sorting waste.
- A wastewater treatment plant and the redistribution of wastewater to reduce the amount of drinking water consumed by inhabitants.
- The construction of ecological infrastructures and the creation of Moka’mwad, a collective that promotes coexistence and community living.
- Educating and training the inhabitants on how to reduce water and electricity consumption.
By dedicating 35% of its area to green and public spaces, Moka is positioning itself as an authentic eco-friendly and sustainable city.
Related article:
Moka’mwad and MGSS Moka have green fingers