Masters Candidate

RESTORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN THE URBAN SETTING The Case Of Nairobi Central Business District

Research supervisor

Prof. Tom Anyamba

Musau Kimeu

Cities are often described as vibrant and exciting, fast paced and bustling environments. Cities should therefore also have deliberately designated and designed spaces to renew and recover resources that have become depleted in facing the requirements of daily life. This thesis grows out of a shared global concern that our cities are having an impact on our health and wellbeing, more so, with the majority of the world’s growing population living and moving into cities; thus, the necessity for restorative environments within urban settings.

This thesis provides a summary of what has happened in this area of research. It then discusses central concepts in restorative environment research focusing on the two theories, the psycho-evolutionary theory and the attention restoration theory.

The study highlights strategies and approaches that use insights and knowledge from environmental psychology to inform the design of more psychologically and physiologically restorative urban environments.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR RESTORATION OF NAIROBI DAM

Research Supervisors

Prof.  Owiti A. K’Akumu

Dr. Luke Mitai Obala

Nairobi Dam has over time attracted many organizations, public and private, who have attempted to rehabilitate it, and as a result, four restoration attempts have been made so far. These efforts have been in vain, and the restoration course is still far from being realized. The time to time failures have indicated weaknesses in the approaches which have been used in the past, indicating that the Government, local authorities, planners and professionals in the land profession have not yet deciphered the correct approach that can effectively and sustainably put the issue of encroachment and degradation of vital urban wetlands, in our case Nairobi dam, to a rest. This project explores past strategies from published articles and studies on Nairobi dam rehabilitation, and the results of these past restoration efforts critically examined. The researcher endeavors to identify gaps and challenges in past rehabilitation measures and propose new management approaches in rehabilitating the dam.

Managing Urban Traffic Congestion: A Case study of Landhies - Jogoo Road Corridor, Nairobi, Kenya.

Research Supervisors

Prof.  Laban U. Shihembetsa

Dr. Samuel Obiero

The overall objective of the study was to assess how traffic congestion is managed within Nairobi City, a case of a selected corridor-Landhies- Jogoo Roads. In assessing the management of urban traffic congestion within Nairobi City, the specific objectives that guided the research are: examining the nature of traffic congestion along Landhies-Jogoo roads; evaluate existing traffic management strategies and their operationalization; propose effective traffic management policy framework. To achieve the objectives, a mixed-method approach incorporating qualitative and quantitative analysis was employed. In-depth literature reviews were done as well as a collection of primary data through field surveys, observation techniques, photography and administration of questionnaires.

 Key Informant Interviews were administered targeting traffic management policymakers, policy enforcers and transport operators.

The study analysed the findings and concludes by giving a wide range of congestion management policy-oriented proposals, which focus on the characterisation of congestion in its wider context, congestion impacts, traffic management frameworks, institutional framework, and enforcement. These recommendations and implementation points are geared towards addressing the problems facing the Landhies-Jogoo roads as a case study for the larger Nairobi Transit Corridors.

Thus, it is the view of this research that long-term land-use and transport planning objectives and frameworks should be integrated and crafted to promote coordination with congestion management policies and guidelines.

Urban renewal potential: A case for Kaloleni Estate Kisumu Town

Research Supervisor

Arch. Erastus Abonyo

Dr. Romanus Opiyo

Housing shortage is a major challenge for urban areas and cities in Kenya and while urban renewal is seen as means of both improving the urban fabric and providing housing there is a policy and legislative deficit in the country for carrying out the same. It is the aim of this study is to identify potentials for renewal and propose a viable framework for renewal for Kaloleni Kisumu.

The primary data collected in this study included age, gender, socio-economic data of the residents of Kaloleni Estate, the state of the housing, land uses, land ownership, neighbourhood associations and respondent’s participation, and their attitudes towards urban renewal. The target population is the residents of Kaloleni Estate, NGOs operating within Kaloleni and government agencies concerned with housing and urban development.

The study is situated in the 100-year-old residential estate of Kaloleni, Kisumu City and is bounded by Ondieki Highway, Ramogi Road, and Sekou Touré Road. The primary data is collected through physical and social surveys on the detailed study area of Kaloleni estate selected through random cluster sampling. Secondary data was obtained from various libraries, resource centers, internet sources and government agencies. The units of observation include the target group and all the spatial and sectoral aspects of the neighbourhood. The population constitutes all the stakeholders comprising the institutional set up of Kaloleni.

It is the conclusion of this study that that Kaloleni Estate has potential for urban renewal justified by evidence from the socio-economic survey of the households, the low quality of housing fabric including high household densities, poor environmental quality and strong informal neighbourhood networks. The study recommends an integrated urban renewal approach for Kaloleni and makes policy recommendations for implementing urban renewal.

Impacts of Zoning Regulations on Sustainable Urban Development: A case of Riverside Neighbourhood, Nairobi, Kenya.

Research Supervisors

Prof.  Laban U. Shihembetsa

Dr. Maurice O. Oyugi

The research investigated the impact of zoning regulations on urban sustainability with specific case of Riverside neighbourhood of Nairobi. The objectives of the study were to document land uses and development densities occasioned by changes in zoning regulations for the neighbourhood; to establish the impacts of zoning regulations on water supply, sewer system, parking and road capacities and then evolve an alternative policy framework to guide developments in the neighbourhood. The study made an assumption that an increase in development density devoid of infrastructure expansion erodes the sustainability of a neighbourhood.

The nature of the study dictated that both qualitative and quantitative approaches be adopted with data collected from the target population which was the properties. It meant that different actors for the properties in the study area were involved for data collection.

The study established that zoning regulations have changed three times from the year 2006 with minimal infrastructural investments. Whereas densification has been fronted as a strategy towards urban sustainability, the study establishes that densification devoid of infrastructural growth coupled by mix of land use activities creates further urban challenges that hinder a neighbourhood’s sustainability. The study found out that Riverside neighbourhood is experiencing densification with minimal infrastructural investments.

In order to ameliorate the situation and embrace sustainability for the neighbourhood the study came up with four recommendations notably: appraisal of the infrastructural requirement; planning and implementation; enactment of zoning policy a shift from ad hoc zoning regulations; land use integration and neighbourhood greenery policy.

Management of The Effects of Land Use Changes On Urban Infrastructure Capacity: A Case Study of Ruaka Town, Kiambu County, Kenya.

Research Supervisors

Dr. Maurice Onyango Oyugi and

Dr. Edwin Oyaro Ondieki

Land-use change is a major driver to the effects of climate change and other socio-economic and environmental challenges, major challenge policymakers, planners and urban managers grapple with. Ruaka town is no exception as it faces high rapid land-use change with myriad challenges on the management of the effects on urban infrastructure and aggravated by inadequate inter-agencies, coordination and collaboration.

The study is an investigation of the effects of land-use changes on urban infrastructure (roads, water supply, and wastewater infrastructure). It seeks to answer the drivers of land-use changes and document the spatial-temporal land-use changes between the years 1988 to 2019, establish their effects on infrastructure. The study establishes a decline in vegetation and agriculture and rises in built-up areas which is partially contributed by urbanization and population growth in the area with major land fragmentations and land-use conversions. The findings reveal encroachment of development to vegetation and riparian reserves which expose the human population to disasters and calamities in cases of climate change. Lack of approved planning policy has encouraged massive land-use changes due to the ad hoc nature of planning using the development control tools which are not approved. The adverse effects on urban infrastructure include pollution and contamination of water sources, traffic congestion, use of unconventional onsite waste management practices.

The study concluded by evolving a management strategy to unravel the challenges through the promotion of a sustainable and resilient urban infrastructure. The strategies emphasize the technical, social, economic, environmental and jurisdictional dimensions.

Investigating the Management of Construction Wastes in Nairobi County

Research Supervisors

Architect Peter Njeru

Mr. Nick Nzioki

This research project delved into the management of wastes within the construction sites specifically targeting Nairobi County in Kenya. The study is an important drive towards a sustainable construction industry as wastes produced by the sector contribute to the waste stream and affects the environment.

The research design applied was a case study research. The target population were NCA 1, NCA 2 and NCA 3 contractors’ sites with building projects within Nairobi County.

The study recommends employment of proper waste management techniques on construction sites and adoption of best practices from other regions for a sustainable industry.

AN INVESTIGATION OF PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TOWARDS PROVIDING LOW COST HOUSES IN KENYA (CASE STUDY OF NAIROBI CITY COUNTY)

Research Supervisor

DR. ISABELLA NJERI WACHIRA-TOWEY

Kenya is faced with significant housing deficit for low-income earners. Public private partnerships could therefore be considered as a possible alternative solution to address the existing shortage. The study sought to investigate the performance of PPPs as a mechanism of providing low-cost houses in Kenya. The objectives included; evaluating forms of PPPs used in Kenya, investigating benefits of PPPs versus Traditional Procurement Methods (TPMs) used in Kenya, identifying challenges facing PPPs and methods which would promote uptake of PPPs towards providing low-cost houses in Kenya. Questionnaires were administered to respondents drawn from public and private sectors.

The findings indicate that there was slow uptake of PPPs in Kenya. Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer was mostly used form of PPPs. The benefits of PPPs over TPMs in order of priority were; timely completion and cost-effective projects, providing value for money, improved efficiency and utilization of modern technology. Challenges which have affected delivery of low-cost houses using PPPs in order of priority included; financial constraints, high cost of land, frail institutional capacities, low acceptability of PPPs by public and private sectors, inflexible regulatory and poor governance structures. The study further found out that policy framework for PPPs emphasizes regulation as opposed to promotion of PPPs and enhancing capacity of implementing agencies.

The study recommended enhanced budgetary allocation, establishment of housing fund, adoption of modern equipment and innovative construction technologies, creation of construction banks with favourable terms and conditions compared to commercial banks. The study proposed establishment of public awareness programs to stimulate the uptake of PPPs.

Assessment of Quality Control Practices For In-situ Concrete: Case study of Nairobi City County

Research Supervisors

Dr. (QS) Isabella Njeri Wachira-Towey & Dr. (Eng) John Mwero

The practice and processes of site production of in-situ concrete by small construction firms, (mainly category NCA5 to NCA8), face numerous challenges ranging from site safety,  poor conditions of equipment, challenges arising from poor site organisation, interpretation of design information and Lack of experienced supervisory staff.  These challenges compromise the quality of concrete so produced and ultimately affect the quality of the built facility.

This study investigated the effects of key site practices under which in-situ concrete is being produced by this category of contractors.  The study objectives were to compare achieved strengths with target mean strengths (measured in compressive strength units) with additional exploration of the effect of some of these key practices on the strength of concrete produced.  One hundred and Thirteen (113) contractors under this category were sampled through multilevel sampling and stratified random sampling for concrete cubes for testing.

Results of this research showed that only 11% of contractor’s attained good rating on site safety, 15.5% attained good rating on site organisation and only 18% recorded good rating with regards to condition of equipment. On key site quality control practices; 97% of contractors did not record water-cement ratio; 99% did not carry out slump tests; and 100% did not have weighing instruments on site for accurate batching.

It was found that these practices when evaluated together led to significant variations in concrete strength.  Recommendations ranging from improved supervision, capacity building for contractors and other quality control practices were made.