Noise Pollution is defined as a form and level of environmental sound that is generally considered likely to annoy, distract or even harm other people. The sounds we hear become noise when they are unwanted, that is, when they interfere with thinking, concentrating, working, talking, listening, or sleeping. By virtue of rapid and continuous growth, […]
Any Future for Nairobi’s Dandora Dump Site?
The Dandora Municipal waste dumping site is Nairobi’s main (and only official) solid waste disposal site. The former quarry comprises a 30 acre expanse located to the east of Nairobi, about 8 kilometers from the city centre. The dumpsite is surrounded by both working class estates like Kariobangi North, Dandora and Babadogo as well the […]
Nairobi and the 100 Resilient Cities Programme
More than half of the world lives in cities. Estimates indicate that by 2050 about 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Cities are the centres of civilization, commerce, innovation and culture. They have diverse populations with different needs dependent upon various variables such as age, culture and economic levels. However, they […]
Nairobi Public Spaces: Viable or open for Grabbing?
As a means of ensuring a good quality of life for residents, city planning guidelines require provision of publicspaces in all residential areas. These include space for playgrounds, public parks, gardens and general open spaces. Public purpose land use management also provides for market centres, shopping areas and public halls In Nairobi City, most residential […]
Public vs Private Urban Housing, what direction for Nairobi, Kenya?
The recent drive towards an open market economy has led to the private sector providing various services that were traditionally under the mandate of the state or municipality. Critics, however, view this development as an opportunity for well-connected individuals to control essential services and reap profitable returns. In Nairobi, Kenya, some of the key areas […]
How Sustainable are the emerging Private Cities around Nairobi, Kenya?
Years back Ebenezer Howard proposed a ‘Garden City’ in his famous text “Garden Cities of Tomorrow. The world famous urbanist envisioned self-reliant and independent cities that are spacious and organized; have limited/controlled populace and unified land ownership. Le Corbusier later analyzed the challenges faced by increased urbanization in Europe and came up with his version […]
Urban October: Public Spaces for All
‘Urban October” was launched by UN-Habitat in 2014 to emphasize the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards the New Urban Agenda. Starting with World Habitat Day on 5th October and concluding with World Cities Day on 31st October under the motto “Designed to Live Together, urbanists are organizing events centered around urbanization, […]
Land use management in Nairobi, Kenya is key to reducing congestion.
Nairobi has a population of 3.5 million and a density of 4,850 people/Km2. This is low when compared to Lagos with 11 million people (18,500p/Km2) or Bogota with 7 million (13,500p/Km2). Estimates show that by 2025 there will be about 5.8 million people living in the city. Nairobi has to plan towards sustaining such a […]
Nairobi, Kenya aims at Regularizing Unauthorized Structures
January 28, 2015, The collapse of a residential building on the 17th of December, 2014 in Makongeni and another one in Huruma on the night of the 4th of January 2015 has led to the Nairobi City County Government calling for an emergency recess to analyze and seek approval of the Nairobi City County Regularization […]
Harmonizing Initiatives: Nairobi, Kenya works towards developing an NMT Policy
January 8, 2015 The Nairobi County Government in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) have set up a team to develop a Non Motorized Transport Policy for the County. Led by Engineer Tom Opiyo, the team of experts will work towards developing a policy and presenting […]
