Presentation on a planning perspective: Report on 'Increasing access to justice and services for informal settlement dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya. 5th February 2015

1. Understanding Mukuru
A Planning Perspective

2. The Spatial Setting

3. Uniquely Diverse

4. The Layout

5. Refined Setting

6. Organic Setting

7. The Existing Services

8. Access to Services
(Limited Options)

9. Service Provision
Resources, Power Relations, and Gender Dynamics
Service provision in
Mukuru is a function of
1) community and
power brokers’
relationships,
2) gender dynamics,
3) access and control
of resources
especially land

10. Power Dynamics in Water Provision

11. Power Dynamics
“… it is the Chief, elders and neighbours
you will have to consult before
constructing a facility…If you proceed
without their knowledge, the leaders will
follow you up and stop the project...”
Focus Group Discussion Participant, 2014

12. Housing Typology and
Services

13. Livelihoods

14. Improving Settlements
from the Bottom-Up
• Tenure security encourages residents to invest
in improvements
• Alternative Tenure Options
• Service Provision and Management – Formal
and Informal Institutional Linkages
• Protection against Evictions – NB: Evictions
forestall planning and sustainable livelihoods
Legal Interventions are a Prerequisite to
Create Sustainable Communities

15. Forward-Looking Plans
in Mukuru
1. In situ upgrading framework: Provide housing and
services with minimal disruption or changes to the
existing conditions
2. Comprehensive / Total Upgrading framework: A
new Mukuru
3. Mixed Approach: Negotiated approach
4. Land Share Model: Cede and gain – Win : Win

16. The Future
Infrastructure and Nodes

17. Consolidated Model

18. The Housing Unit
•One-off construction with
overall minimal displacement
•Infill design or total
redevelopment of some
parcels
•Targets middle class with
potential for cross-
subsidization
•Market-Driven (Landlords) or
Civil Society-Driven (Social
Empowerment)
•Allows for subletting

19. Planning Proposal for Mukuru
On Services
• Public and Private Partnerships
• Create partnerships between service providers and community structures
On Gender Equity
•Mainstream gender-equitable strategies, including particular efforts to
ensure the visibility of women and girls
• Give women equal opportunities to participate in the upgrading scheme
• Ensure women enjoy equal representation and recognition when granting
property rights.
On Skills Transfer to the Youth
• Promotion of industrial trainings and entrepreneurial skills transfer
On Finance
• Support for grassroots savings schemes in Mukuru
A Holistic Approach
• Embrace multiple models of slum upgrading to cater for the diversity of
issues and players