In this era of transformation, cities are finally prioritizing walking and cycling in urban planning, local and national budgets, and for potential investors. This long-overdue change paves the way for a healthier, greener, safer, and more efficient future of urban transport.Part 1: Strategies and Tools for Financing Walking and Cycling Initiatives.Part 2: Local Commitment to […]
Discussion: Developing a Socially Just Public Transport System
Constant Cap discussing approaches that can be taken by cities, using Nairobi as a case study, in order to make public transport more socially just. He mentions the pillars of Socially Just Public Transport which include: Available, Accessible and Affordable, Human Rights and Equity, Sustainable. These include to aspects such as universal access for elderly […]
Nairobi: Did The Expressway forget about ‘people?’
As urban areas continue to grow, so do their benefits and challenges. One major challenge that has become increasingly apparent in most emerging African cities is the growing gap between the rich and the poor. This phenomenon was vividly portrayed by the award winning AfricanDrones project entitled ‘Unequal Scenes.’ The project used drones to visually […]
Nairobi: Will the new boss make the city work?
Nairobi’s new administration under Governor Johnson Sakaja faces an uphill task at ensuring the just principles of Dignity, Equity and Diversity, Rights and Responsibilities, Democracy for the citizens. However, a lot is achievable.
Covid-19: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Pandemics provide us with opportunities to reflect on our spatial management: good impacts, bad effects and ugly incidences. Although the general trend is that we are coerced into making short term changes; in many spheres, pandemics can serve as potential triggers for implementing long term improvement. The Covid-19 pandemic has been no exception. Some key […]
African Cities: Development Control and Zoning
The rate of Urban development in African cities is at levels never experienced before. Sub-Saharan Africa is the least urbanized region globally, however, it nevertheless has the highest rate of urbanization. Small towns, municipalities, cities and metropolises are expanding at extremely high rates. Only three decades ago, Nairobi had a population of slightly over 1 […]
Nairobi Expressway: Misjudged Priorities?
The Kenyan Government launched the Construction of the Nairobi Expressway on 16th October 2019. The project consists of a 26 Km road expansion of which 11 Km will be elevated crossing right through the city of Nairobi. The Kenya National Highways Authority had circulated a document giving some information on the proposed project. The pamphlet […]
No Progress without Accepting Prevailing SocioEconomic Conditions!
The Governor of Nairobi recently stated in a local talk show that it is his desire for Nairobi to be an ‘International City.’ This can be presumed to mean a city that is attractive to foreign investment, conferences and tourism. These attributes are not new to the City of Nairobi. A large percentage of Nairobi’s […]
Terrorism: A Key thought on Urban Resilience
Cities and towns offer people better lifestyles but their organic nature also heralds an unparalleled diversity of challenges. Cities experience extremes in poverty indices, environmental concerns such as air quality, river and riparian preservation, security concerns at personal and social levels, and varied mobility needs. These dynamics contribute to various levels of stresses on the […]
Putting People at the Core of Design
In today’s world it is common for us to associate cities with features like buildings, roads, cars and spaces. It is, however, important that we don’t forget the most important element in a city – its citizens. What is a city without its citizens? Probably a ‘lost city’ or ‘abandoned ruins’. Yet, more often than […]
