Leobard BANAMWANA is a Senior Urban Planner who has a proven track record of success in urban planning, environmental management and conservation, and rural poverty reduction. His expertise is backed by numerous selected trainings including a study tour on GIS, Remote Sensing, Urban Project Development and Management,... He brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience to any project in his field.
Education Background
Doctoral Degree of Urban Planning (PhD)
- Thesis Publication: Elaboration and Implementation of Planning Tools, The Case of Kigali Conceptual Master Plan, Republic of Rwanda
- Institution: Atlantic International University in the United States of America
- Date obtained: 2013
Master’s Degree of Development Studies (MADS)
- Thesis Publication: The Relationship between Rural Poverty and Environmental Conservation. The case of Nyabihu District, Republic of Rwanda
- Institution: Kabale University in the Republic of Uganda
- Date obtained: 2009
Postgraduate Course of Environmental Economics
- Publication Inclusive Green Economy: Development and Implementation of Green Cities and Climate Resilient Projects in Rwanda
- Institution: University of Gothenburg in the Kingdom of Sweeden
- Date obtained: 2020
Bachelor’s Degree of Sciences in Geography majoring in Urban and Regional Planning (BSC)
- Dissertation: Les conséquences environnementales liées à la croissance non planifiée de la ville de Kigali. Le cas du District de Nyamirambo
- Institution: National University of Rwanda in the Republic of Rwanda
- Date obtained: 2005
Other Selected Trainings & Short Courses
- Study Tour and Training on GIS, Remote Sensing, Urban Project Development and Management by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dakar, Republic of Senegal in 2012;
- Training of Urban Waste Management and Improvement of Slums in Western Province (Karongi and Rusizi Districts) by French Development Agency (AFD), held in Rusizi, Republic of Rwanda in 2014;
- Training of Trainers (ToT) on Guidelines for Commissioning and Managing Project Feasibility Studies (Simplified Feasibility Assessment and Full Feasibility Studies) by Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), Kigali, Republic of Rwanda in 2016;
- Training of Trainers (ToT) on Agriculture Value Chain Development by Local Administrative Entities Development Agency LODA, Kigali, Republic of Rwanda in 2017;
- Training on Public – Private Partnership (PPP) Development by RIAM, Muhanga, Republic of Rwanda in 2008;
- Training in Urban Transportation Planning and Social & Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) and PIGU Project /MININFRA, Rwamagana, Republic of Rwanda in 2009;
- Advanced Training in SPSS, EXCEL NODELLING, STATA, Arc GIS, Arc VIEW and Arc MAP by CGIS / National University of Rwanda, Huye, Republic of Rwanda in 2007 in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR);
- Training on Land Registration, Conservation and Administration by Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) and MINITERRE held in RIAM, Muhanga, Republic of Rwanda in 2007;
- Training on Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), Resettlement Policy Framework and Infrastructure Planning and Human Development by MININFRA, UNHABITAT; and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2011;
- Short course on Green Infrastructure Development, Property Valuation and Community Mobilization by Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2011;
- Training on public procurement by National Tender Board (NTB), currently Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA) held in RIAM, Muhanga, Republic of Rwanda in 2006;
- Training on Population studies and Socio-Economic Analysis by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Kigali, Republic of Rwanda in 2007;
- Training of Trainers (ToT) in Green Infrastructure Development and Environmental Resilience by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Kigali, Republic of Rwanda in 2015;
- Training of Trainers (ToT) on Private Sector Development and Entrepreneurship by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Kigali, Republic of Rwanda in 2015.
Employment record for selected relevant completed Tasks / Assignments
Individual Consultant / Urban Planner Technical Assistant with the National Land Authority (NLA)
- Position Held: Technical Assistant / Senior Urban Planner
- Period: From 2022 to 2023
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Esperance MUKAMANA
- Position : Director General
- Emai: esperence.mukamana@lands.gov.rw
Individual Consultant with LODA / RUDP funded by the World Bank
- Position Held: Urban Planner and Local Economic Development (LED) Coach
- Period: From 2017 to 2021
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Claudine NYINAWAGAGA
- Position : Director General
- Emai: claudine.nyinawaga@loda.gov.rw
ICIPE (International Center for Insects Physiology and Ecology)
- Position Held: Urban Planner and Project M&E
- Period: From 2020 to 2021
- Counties: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi
For reference:
- Name: Nancy MUNYEKI
- Position : Coordinator
- Emai: nmunyeki@icipe.org
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
- Position Held: Senior Urban Planner
- Period: From 2015 to 2016
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Jean Pierre MUNYESHYAKA
- Position : External Link Coordinator
- Emai: jp.munyeshyaka@gggi.org
Bureau of Engineering Limited
- Position Held: Urban Planner and Team Leader
- Period: From 2015 to 2016
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Leonie UWINEZA
- Position : Managing Director
- Emai: bureauengineeringltd@gmail.com
MANIM COMPANY Limited
- Position Held: Senior Urban Planner - Team Leader
- Period: From 2016 to 2017
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Edouard MANIRAKIZA
- Position : Managing Director
- Emai: donpepe10@yahoo.fr
NALEO Company Limited
- Position Held: Team Leader
- Period: From 2015 to 2019
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Basile TUYISENGE
- Position : Managing Director
- Emai: tuyibasile@gmail.com
UCS (Union Construction Services)
- Position Held: Urban Planner & Team Leader
- Period: From 2017 to 2021
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Theoneste NSANZINEZA
- Position : Managing Director
- Emai: uscltd@gmail.com
Rwanda Housing Authority
- Position Held: Director of Urban and Housing Development
- Period: From 2010 to 2015
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Esther MUTAMBA
- Position : Director General
- Emai: tambesther@yahoo.com
Rubavu District
- Position Held: Director of District Land Bureau (One Stop Center)
- Period: From 2008 to 2010
- Country: Rwanda
For reference:
- Name: Christopher KALISA
- Position : Executive Secretary
- Emai: c.kalisa@rubavudistrict.gov.rw
Language skills
English, French, Kinyarwanda
- Reading: Excellent
- Speaking: Excellent
- Writing: Excellent
Selected Key Completed Projects
Consultancy Services for developing Feasibility Studies and Detailed Engineering Designs for Informal Settlement Upgrading Projects of Kagugu, Inyange, Mumyembe and Camp Zaire in the City of Kigali
The project consists of providing the area with affordable housing and basic infrastructure such as roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity, and water among others.
- Employer: UCS (Union Construction Services)
- Year: 2021-2022
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: City of Kigali
- Position Held: Team Leader & Senior Urban Planner
Major activities performed:
- Coordination of the team as well as the management of the following activities.
- Meet with the public regarding development plans and land use
- Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting land use
- Present projects to communities, planning officials, and planning commissions
- Stay current on zoning or building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues
- Participate in modeling and graphic designing as well as GIS data processing
Consultancy Services for Informal Settlement Upgrading Projects in Rubavu District
The project consists of providing the area with affordable housing and basic infrastructure such as roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity, and water among others.
- Employer: UCS (Union Construction Services)
- Year: 2018-2019
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: Rubavu District
- Position Held: Team Leader/Urban Planner & GIS Expert.
Major activities performed:
- Coordination of the team as well as the management of the following activities.
- Meet with the public regarding development plans and land use
- Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting land use
- Present projects to communities, planning officials, and planning commissions
- Stay current on zoning or building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues
- Participate in modeling and graphic designing as well as GIS data processing
Consultancy Services for Informal Settlement Upgrading Projects in Muhanga District
The project consists of providing the area with affordable housing and basic infrastructure such as roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity, and water among others.
- Employer: UCS (Union Construction Services)
- Year: 2019-2020
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: Muhanga District
- Position Held: Team Leader/Urban Planner & GIS Expert.
Major activities performed:
- Coordination of the team as well as the management of the following activities.
- Meet with the public regarding development plans and land use
- Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting land use
- Present projects to communities, planning officials, and planning commissions
- Stay current on zoning or building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues
- Participate in modeling and graphic designing as well as GIS data processing
Elaboration of Ruhuha Local Urban Development Plan (LUDP) in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2016 and Elaboration of Bugesera Aiport Belt Master Plan for Urban Development Plan and its implementation strategies in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2016.
The projects consists of providing the area with necessary infrastructure such as roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity, and water among others.
- Employer: MANIM COMPANY Limited
- Year: 2016
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: Bugesera District
- Position Held: Team Leader/Senior Urban Planner& GIS Expert.
Major activities performed:
- Coordination and management to successful completion of the projects including the following activities.
- Meet with the public regarding development plans and land use
- Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting land use
- Present projects to communities, planning officials, and planning commissions
- Stay current on zoning or building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues
- Participate in modelling and graphic designing as well as GIS data processing
Develop the National Road-Map for Green Secondary Cities
To Develop the National Road-Map for Green Secondary Cities Development of Huye, Muhanga, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu and Rusizi.
- Employer: Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) / Rwanda Country Program
- Year: 2015 – 2016
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: MININFRA
- Position Held: Senior Urban Planner & GIS Expert.
Major activities performed:
Ensuring the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) to the city development and participatory approach of developing secondary cities involving the Private Sector and other relevant stakeholders. This is the key pillar of developed and published National Roadmap
Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP) funded by the World bank under LODA
Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP) funded by the World Bank under the Single Project Implementation Unity (SPIU) of Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA).
- Employer: Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA)
- Year: 2017 to 2021
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: LODA – RUDP
- Position Held: Team Leader/Urban Planner.
Key and major completed projects included:
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval for Huye District Development Strategy (DDS) in 2019.
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval for Muhanga District Development Strategy (DDS) in 2019.
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval for Rusizi District Development Strategy (DDS) in 2019.
- Elaborate and support the process of approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Huye District in 2018
- Develop and operationalize the “Business Activities Tracking System” in Huye, Muhanga and Rusizi Secondary Cities to be linked with the LODA / MEIS (Monitoring and Evaluation Information System) for effective, regular and easy monitoring of the RUDP Results Framework in 2021.
- Elaborate and support the process of approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Rusizi District in 2018
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the City Branding and Marketing Strategy for Huye Secondary City in 2019
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the City Branding and Marketing Strategy for Muhanga Secondary City in 2019
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the City Branding and Marketing Strategy for Rusizi Secondary City in 2019
- Elaborate and support the process of approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Muhanga District in 2018
Further Technical Support was extended to the other Districts as:
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Gicumbi District in 2017
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Burera District in 2017
- Provide Technical support on elaboration and approval of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for Nyamasheke District in 2017
- Elaborate and support the process of approval of the City Development Strategy (CDS) for the City of Kigali in 2018
Major activities performed:
Consultant in Local Economic Development (LED) and LED Trainer supporting the Three Secondary Cities (Huye, Muhanga, and Rusizi Districts) in Local Economic Development (LED) to empower business environment with more focus on Business Development and Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) aiming at promotion and development of Local Economy for the specific sectors related to enabling Business Activities, Industries (Off Farm Activities), boosted from Urbanization, Housing, Agriculture, Roads, Energy, Sanitation and Water Supply, as integral part of elaborated District Development Strategies (DDS) and Local Economic Development (LED) Strategies for the Secondary Cities
Elaboration of Feasibility Studies and detailed designs for Nyamata and Ruhuha Landfills in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2014-2015 ; for Rutagara Landfill in Rubavu District, Western Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2014 ; for Urban Roads in Rubavu District, Western Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2014 and for Kanjongo Landfill in Nyamasheke District, Western Province in the Republic of Rwanda in 2016.
Elaboration of Feasibility Studies, planning and detailed designs for the projects
- Employer: Bureau of Engineering Company Limited
- Year: 2014 – 2017
- Location: Rwanda
- Client: Bugesera District & Rubavu District & Nyamasheke District
- Position Held: Team Leader
Major activities performed:
Coordination and management to successful completion of the following projects
Projects for Rwanda Housing Authority
Selected completed projects:
- Contribute to the “Elaboration of National Urban Policy (NUP) and Environmental Planning & Spatial Development Framework (SDF) in line with the initiative or “Achieving Sustainable Urban Development in Rwanda (ASUD)”. (2014-2015) under the Ministry of Infrastructure.
- Contribute to the “design and implementation of Agatare Pilot Project on Informal Settlement Upgrading in Nyarugenge District, City of Kigali, in the Republic of Rwanda”. (2014-2015), under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Housing Authority, City of Kigali and UH-Habitat.
- Supervise the elaboration of “Detailed Land Use and Environmental Management Plans for Muhazi Lake Shores and its environs in the Republic of Rwanda” (2010-2013). Public Transport & Green Infrastructure Development Plan as part of completed assignment. Rwanda Housing Authority
- Coordinate projects related to “infrastructure development and servicing works for Urban Extension Zones in the City of Kigali, and six Secondary Cities in the Republic of Rwanda” (2013-2014). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Review, Amend and Public Consultation of Organic Law governing Land Administration, Management and Expropriation Process in Rwanda (2014). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Supervise the projects related to “conceptual designs and implementation works of Greening and Beautification of Rulindo, Rutsiro and Ngororero Districts; in the Republic of Rwanda” (2013). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Coordinate the process of elaboration of “Detailed Land Use Plans for all District Urban Areas in Rwanda” (2010-2013). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Coordinate the process of elaboration of “Urban Street Addressing Plans for the City of Kigali, Huye, Rubavu, Rubavu, Rusizi, Karongi, Rwamagana, Kayonza and Nyagatare Towns in Rwanda”, (2011-2014). Rwanda Housing Authority.
- Supervise “plot servicing works for Social and Affordable Housing Pilot Project in Kicukiro, Gasabo and Nyarugenge of the City of Kigali, Republic of Rwanda” (2010-2012). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Coordinate the process of elaboration of the “Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Relocation of 2806 Households living in Gishwati High Risk Zones, in Rubavu District, Republic of Rwanda” (2007-2009). Rubavu District
- Coordinate the project related to “Relocating and Resettlement of 2806 households living in high risk zones of Gishwati Forest to Kanembwe and Karukogo grouped Settlement site in Rubavu District”. Project funded by UNDP and the Government of Rwanda (2006-2009). Rubavu District.
- Coordinate the process of elaboration of the “Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and relocation of 1304 Households living on Rubavu Hill and Layout Plans for Karukogo Resettlement Site”. (2005-2009). Rubavu District.
- Coordinate the projects related to “urban infrastructure and services for urban informal settlement upgrading in the Musanze and Huye Secondary Cities, Republic of Rwanda” (2012-2014). Rwanda Housing Authority
- Employer: Rwanda Housing Authority
- Year: 2010-2015
- Position Held: Director of Urban and Housing Development