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The Municipality of Walvis Bay, in partnership with the Municipality of Czerwonak in Poland, officially launched the upgraded Walvis Bay Independence Beach Promenade today under the Erongo Sustainable Governance LAB: Participatory Urban Governance for Resilient, Safe and Inclusive Multifunctional Public Spaces in Namibia project. The initiative was co-funded by the European Union.
Implemented since 2022, the project introduced a range of activities aimed at strengthening participatory governance, building institutional capacity and enhancing the sustainability of public spaces in the Erongo Region. These activities included the Erongo Good Governance Academy for municipal officials, community charrettes and consultations, student workshops, study tours to Poland on EU best practices, and technical support to Namibian stakeholders in developing sustainable and citizen-centred solutions.
A major milestone of the project is the transformation of the Independence Beach Promenade into an accessible, multifunctional public space aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus. The renovation incorporates sustainable greening, a zero-waste approach and environmentally conscious design.
Several components of the development have been completed, such as refurbished braai facilities, improved children’s play park, refurbished ablution facilities, upgraded sanitation systems, solar-powered lighting, improved walkways, a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the beach, outdoor gym equipment and outdoor showers. Some elements, particularly the main stage and dancing floor are still under construction, and work will continue to ensure the full realisation of the promenade’s long-term design. The project is expected to undergo further upgrades in phases over the next financial years.
The opening ceremony began at 11:30 and featured remarks from the Mayor of Walvis Bay, Mr. Trevino Forbes; the Mayor of Czerwonak, Mr. Marcin Wojtkowiak; the European Union Ambassador to Namibia, Ms. Ana Beatriz Martins; and the Ambassador of Poland to Namibia, Mr. Jacek Chodorowicz. Technical representatives from the Development Policy Foundation and the Namibian project coordination team provided further insights into the innovative solutions implemented, followed by a guided tour of the upgraded amenities.
This collaborative initiative demonstrates the impact of international partnerships in strengthening local governance and developing resilient, inclusive and citizen-focused public infrastructure.
Residents are encouraged to take pride in and care for the upgraded park facilities to ensure that the space remains safe, clean and enjoyable for all users for many years to come.
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This publication is a part of the ‘Erongo Sustainable Governance LAB: Participatory Urban Governance For Resilient, Safe and Inclusive Multifunctional Public Spaces in Namibia’ project, co-funded by the European Union within the framework of European Commission – Development & Cooperation – EuropeAid. The implementing partners for the project are Czerwonak, zobacz więcej and Municipality of Walvis Bay. The contents of the post is the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
