A major topic of discussion in Nairobi, Kenya, over the last few months revolves around the proposed relocation of paratransit vehicles (known as matatus in Kenya and minibus taxis in parts of the continent) to the fringes of the Central Business District (CBD). ‘Nairobi Metropolitan Services’ (NMS), the newly formed authority that has taken over […]
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 […]
Riparian Lands: Nairobi starts demolitions
Short Discussion on Citizen TV The City of Nairobi has started demolishing constructions on Riparian lands. Riparian zones are vegetated strips of land on each side of a watercourse or adjacent to a water body. The laws on riparian lands give a range of 6m to 30m for rivers. The distance oceans, lakes and dams […]
#MjiWetu: Mixed Land Use is not Random Land Use
Recent trends in urban development have encouraged cities to transform in a more “people oriented approach. This trend places emphasis on the importance of cities to be commuter friendly (walkability and connectivity), environmentally sustainable and to create opportunities for human interaction and cohesion. A strong sense of place in cities and communities has also emerged. All […]
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 […]
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 […]