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Outcome Mapping for Wanavijiji Action Research Project at Thayu Roundvales, Limuru

University of Nairobi (CURI) and partners recently held an Outcome Mapping Workshop from 12th to 15th March at the Thayu Roundvales Hotel, Limuru. The purpose of the workshop was to refine the target outcomes overall strategy for a joint research, code named “Wanavijiji Action Research Project” aimed at Improving Access to Justice and Basic Services in the Informal Settlementsof Nairobi.

Tue, 2014-03-18 19:44
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Symposium on urbanization: how to move beyond exclusion - reflections on proposed slum upgrading and prevention policy

8th March 2014: TANGAZA UNIVERSITY, NAIROBI

The development of Slums in Kenya’s urban areas is linked to the country’s political and economic growth that has produced skewed and uncoordinated urbanization. In Kenya as in much of East Africa the emerging urban areas depict simultaneously human prosperity and deep human destitution. Urban population growth rate in Kenya is approximated to be 6-7% per annum[1]. This rapid growth coupled with limited resources, unemployment, high poverty levels, uncoordinated and unmatched initiatives has strained the government in provision of decent shelter and associated infrastructure leading to proliferation of slums and informal settlements.

Mon, 2014-03-17 11:24
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Kiambu County’s Second Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the County Spatial Plan: 2014 – 2024 at Thika Sub-County

County Governments in Kenya are obliged to prepare a raft of plans to foster local development and improved service provision (Link County Government Act, 2012). Kiambu County Government has instituted a moratorium on large farm subdivision for urban development pending preparation of a County Spatial Plan. Towards this a series of stakeholder consultations have been arranged in different sub-counties of the Government. On 24th February, one such meeting took place at Thika Town Hall starting at 10:30. The meeting was attended by approximately 60 persons representing different organizations and community groups: businessmen, self-help groups, the press, CBO’s, NGO’s, Government organizations and Universities.

Tue, 2014-03-04 14:07
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Jeevanjee Garden Rehabilitation Launch

On 24th February 2014, the Nairobi City County in partnership with the UN-HABITAT, UNEP and Friends of Jeevanjee Garden launched the phase I for the rehabilitation of the Jeevanjee Gardens. The project is part of the City County’s Recreational Spaces and Parks Rehabilitation program initiated in 2011 and whose aim was to improve the standards of public spaces in the county. Overall, the program targets to rehabilitate a total of 100 public spaces (open spaces and plazas) within the city centre and neighborhoods. By the end of the program, the county intends to have a strategy in place for developing and managing safer and quality public spaces in Nairobi, while linking into the implementation of the Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) and ensuring effective service delivery. 

Tue, 2014-03-04 11:35
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Scholarship announcements

Scholarship 1

 This is a Scholaship announcement.

Friday, April 4, 2014 - 12:29
Scholarship 2

This is a scholarship.

Friday, April 4, 2014 - 12:36
Grant opportunities from the Gates Foundation and its partners
Friday, April 4, 2014 - 17:25
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Events

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From our Blog

An urban planner's take on the multi-billion dollar standard gauge railway project

The Country is currently engaged in deliberations for undertaking a huge construction project that will have far-reaching impact on many aspects of the social, spatial, economic, environmental, and political consequences both now and in future. As we read about cost issues as well as the operational and political repercussions of the same, and what this project has to do to serve the economy, Planners have to ask and confront some fundamental questions:

Is Urbanization in Africa a tool for Prosperity or Paucity?

Last week I took a foreign colleague to view one of Nairobi’s urban slums, Mukuru kwa Njenga - which is currently a case area CURI is handling in a project aimed at improving access to justice and basic services within the informal settlements. An interesting observation, was an area that had recently been reclaimed along the river bed, and within 2 weeks, the residents had fully constructed shacks to the brim of the river again. This triggered a very important question, which I think we should start asking ourselves; is urbanisation really helping us, or has it turned to a tool of impoverishment. 

Gated cities of tomorrow? New cities planned from scratch

The long history of cities has it that they have been centres of prosperity and social integration. From the pre historic, all through history to the modern times, cities have continued to exist playing critical roles in human development. Cities have been known to be the centres of urbanism formed by numerous interwoven elements.

Getting Staffing for Devolution Right

In recent adverts counties across the country have moved to recruit professional staff to their governments, setting the stage for devolution takeoff. A few counties have presented fairly comprehensive staffing structure while others have presented somewhat partial and rather disjointed profiles.

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