1st Annual Urban and Regional Planning Conference (URPC)
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment and Design in collaboration with the Architectural Association of Kenya- Town Planning Chapter (AAK-TPC, Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), and Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAC) organized the 1st Annual Urban and Regional Planning Conference (URPC) on 25th and 26th October 2022 at the Confucius Institute. The conference held under the theme “Rethinking of Planning and Management of Rapid Urbanization Trends in Achieving Sustainable Development in Africa” brought together practitioners and academia in the field of urban planning to deliberate on crucial matters relating to planning in the county and the continent.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2-day event, the Director of Research and Enterprise of the University of Nairobi, Professor Justus M. Munyoki commended the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and its partners for organizing a conference that gave the keynote speakers, research presenters, staff, and students a chance to dialogue about crucial issues impacting urban populations and how research can be harnessed to provide sustainable solutions to the planning menace in the country and the region. The dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Design, Prof. Lilac Osanjo commended the conference conveners for inviting the professionals and stakeholders in planning to share knowledge and debate on issues relating to methodologies, design, technology, and innovation in urban and regional planning.
The Faculty Convener and Chair of the 1st Urban and Regional Planning Conference (URPC) Planning Committee Dr. Romanus Opiyo thanked the faculty, department leadership, and the office of AVC-RIE for supporting the secretariat in making the conference a success. The Chairperson of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning observed that the conference provides an international forum for the exchange of ideas and recent developments in research activities in universities, research institutes, state and non-state actors, and industries on topical issues surrounding urban and regional planning across the Africa Region. “The department has a rich history of training land use spatial planners in the region since 1971. As the African continent faces rapid urbanization, the role of research and reliable data acquisition and use in guiding and shaping both urban and rural spaces is becoming critical and urgent”, she added.
Over 20 researchers and postgraduate students presented their research projects in line with this year’s theme to share knowledge and trigger constructive debate around urban planning and its role in economic development on the continent. The conference was one in a series of other conferences that marked the 2022 University of Nairobi Research Week.
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