SYMBIOCITY KENYA
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Sustainable Urban Development in Kenya

The Kenya SymbioCity Programme aimed to build the capacity of urban development stakeholders to guide the urban development in a more sustainable direction. The programme was implemented as a joint partnership between SALAR/ SKL International and Council of Governors (CoG).

The overall objective of the programme was to ensure that relevant actors in Kenya developed their capacity on sustainable urban development. In addition to COG, the main actors in the project were the Urban Development Unit at the Ministry of Interior and seven counties. The counties took part through pilot projects, where urban stakeholders formulated holistic visions for their towns and developed small-scale improvement-projects to be carried out in tertiary towns in each county. The programme provided a seed fund for their implementation.

Time Period: 2015-2019

Objectives

CoG has improved capacity to be responsive to counties´ needs and to support urban planning, management and development

  • Urban Support Team established and working effectively with committee, members and external stakeholders
  • Strategic and systematic knowledge management established at CoG
  • UST/CoG achieved strategic and systematic interaction and dialogue with national level and international stakeholders on urban matters

The SymbioCity Approach is applied in urban planning, management and development in selected urban areas in seven counties, providing useful experience and innovative solutions to other counties and stakeholders

  • Decision makers and staff in seven pilot counties have practical experience and skills for applying the SCA process and concepts on their urban development planning
  • Civil society and local stakeholders have experience of actively participating in urban planning, project development in seven counties
  • County and town policies, plans and processes are influenced and inspired by the SymbioCity Approach
In collaboration with
Ahero, Kisumu

Vision: A clean, healthy, resilient, convergent and people-centered city of prosperity.

Ahero Market Area Rejuvenation

The goal of the change project is to improve living conditions and business environment focusing on Ahero market and the riparian area within the town. The existing market will be upgraded and waste management improved, including through sensitization and engagement of waste champions. Existing drains will be renovated and an artifical wetland will be constructed to treat gray water from the market. The wetland area will be improved with landscaping and park benches to provide a pleasant environment next to the river.

USR Ahero
county image cleanup volunteers
Ontulili, Meru

Vision: A well-planned, managed and economically sustainable town

A modern mixed use integrated market, Ontulili Town

The Change Project will bring a mixed-use market to Ontulili. Once completed it will mean an overall improvement in quality of life to residents and in particular women and children who more often than not are affected by lack of basic services. The activities are clustered in four components; market area development including new lighting, market management and access to recreational space, accessibility in and around the market area and establishment of a one-stop shop for Government services.

USR Ontulili
county image DSC_0186
Butere, Kakamega

Vision: A green, vibrant and friendly city

Butere Multipurpose Eco-Park

Through the Kakamega change project, an idle piece of public land will be transformed into a multi-purpose eco-park with a resource center, providing space for recreation and social gatherings to the residents of Butere, something that is currently missing. In project implementation as well as in the management of the park, opportunities for local economic development is provided to local residents contributing to combatting challenges of unemployment.

USR Butere
county image kakamega
Kiminini, Trans Nzoia

Vision: A green vibrant town with opportunities for all

Kiminini Waste Reduction and Greening Project

The Kiminini project focuses on public space, improved water and sanitation and reduced amount of solid waste. The creation of green spaces will be interlinked with improving sanitary conditions and reducing waste through innovative approaches. While piloting small-scale waste water treatment facility, drainage improvement and rainwater harvesting, capacity will be built, and ownership created amongst the Kiminini residents to ensure sustainability. Engaging residents will take place through e.g. place making, tree growing and “adoption” of benches, waste bins and trees.

USR Kiminini
county image Commercial function
Mbita, Homa Bay

Vision: An orderly, scenic and vibrant lake town for sustainable growth

Urban Renewal & Regeneration of Mbita Town

The Change Project for Mbita aims at enhancing the socio-economic and environmental vibrancy of the town. The project will focus on creating a cleaner town through cleaning days, awareness raising, and improved waste management. Livelihoods and business opportunities will be improved through an improved local market as well as new solar powered cold storage facilities for preserving fish. In addition solar powered street lights and life wests for fishermen and water transport users will improve safety.

USR Mbita
county image Homa bay
Kwa Vonza, Kitui

Vision: A thriving university town with vibrant economy and sustainable green environment whose people delight in its habitability.

Sustainable environmental and economic improvement of Kwa Vonza Town

The project aims to increase opportunities for economic activity whilst improving the environment. Area improvements will be made to the market by increasing trading hours, providing accessible toilet blocks and recreational facilities. Rain-water harvesting systems will be integrated in new and existing structures, and the water will be used for greening initiatives. An additional component will support the development of a spatial plan and the technical capacity of planning staff.

USR Kwa Vonza
county image Kitui
Njoro, Nakuru

Vision: A Well Planned Agricultural and Industrial Town

Sustainable use of Water & safe water supply in Jewathu Settlement, Njoro Township

The Nakuru Change Project intends to increase the access to safe drinking water for Jewathu residents in Njoro, as well as to reduce the flooding through control of surface rainwater flooding. This will be done in close cooperation with NARUWASCO. By awareness raising and information sharing, hygiene, sanitation and household water management should also be improved with the long term effect of better health of residents.

USR Njoro
county image Nakuru
Resources and tools

Publications and guidelines

Planning Our Towns - a toolkit for inclusive urban development in Kenya

This toolkit offers guidelines for integrating inclusive, participatory and holistic urban planning and development in Kenya.

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Placemaking guide

This guide for placemaking is created to guide communities in how to create good and successful public spaces.

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14 Smart ways to create public spaces

This publication highlights current public space efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa and reveals a broad range of projects, methods and initiators.

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New Urban Magazine

An informative publication on the partners, process and progress of the Symbiocity Kenya Programme.

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WUF9: New Urban Annex

WUF9 Lessons for Kenya

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Urban Sustainability Reviews

USR Butere
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USR Kiminini
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USR Ontulili
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USR Mbita
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USR Ahero
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USR Kwa Vonza
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USR Njoro
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Ahero USR Popular version
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Ontulili USR Popular version
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Kiminini USR Popular version
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Kwa Vonza USR Popular version
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Maps

Urbanisation in Kenyan Counties
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Infrastructure and services
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Urban planning initiatives
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Urban legislation
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County revenue and expediture
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Urban development partners
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Urban governance tools
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Public participation
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