Student Short Biography:
Asya Essajee is a registered Architect. She is a holder of a Bachelor degree in Architectural Studies and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Nairobi.
She is currently a tutorial fellow at the University of Nairobi and also a practicing Architect at Imara Baobab Kenya Ltd.
Asya is a highly motivated architect with a key interest in Urban design. She is also keen on developing her passion for academic research as well as a mentor in architectural discipline.
Thesis / Project Title:
TRANSPORT NODE MARKETS_THE CASE OF MOMBASA
Research Supervisors
Prof. Tom Anyamba
Arch. Erastus Abonyo
Thesis / Project Abstract
Transport infrastructure has been known to influence land use patterns which directly shape mobility behaviour. Globally, it is common to find commercial activities around and within different modes of transport; air, road, rail and sea. In Africa, bus terminals are focal points for attracting growth of markets. Bus stations serve as gateways between urban and rural areas and contribute to the wider economy as they take up an essential role in sustaining trade, commerce and exchange, providing people with a living. Bus stations commonly known as matatu stages in Kenya are among the most paramount sites of everyday economic and social activity. Transport node markets in Kenya exist mainly around Matatu stages. The purpose of this study was to determine the emerging relationship between transport nodes (matatu stages) and informal markets. This was done by assessing the existing condition and situation of three major transport nodes in the city of Mombasa; Buxton matatu stage, Ferry matatu stage and Likoni matatu stage.
The research methodology is based on the conceptual framework of the “Grounded theory”. Due to this methodological approach and exploratory nature of the research, qualitative methods were employed for data collection and analysis.
The study found that the success of the transport node markets was influenced by the location of the matatu stage, the neighbouring land uses, presence of land marks, accessibility to different transport services and visibility to the streets among others. Based on the positive aspects picked from the literature reviewed and cases studied, a number of urban design guidelines were proposed towards a harmonious co-existence between transport nodes and related informal street markets in the city of Mombasa.