Mlango Kubwa is defined by several urban design elements. Major paths include Juja Road and Muratina Road, which form the eastern and western edges. The area is divided into two districts - one consisting mainly of shanties and the other of high rise buildings. Key nodes are road junctions that aid wayfinding. The defining landmark is the Mathare River, which forms the northern edge and helps observers orient themselves due to the sloping topography.

1. URBAN DESIGN; MLANGO KUBWA
With referenceto Kevin Lynch’sImage of theCity
GROUP11
BY:
SYLVIA OLUNGA
MELANIE GITHIORI

2. ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN
1. Paths
These are channels along which the observermoves.
Paths are the most predominant elements of urban design.
Characteristics
• Identity – defined by façade characteristics
• Continuity – character and activity
• Sense of direction
• Gradient – topographic and use intensity gradient
• Street Pattern

3. 2. Edge
• Edges are boundaries betweentwo phases.
• Theyservethe purposeof holding together generalized areas.
• Edges could be ; I) paths
ii) walls
iii) shores
• Edges divide as well as unite spaces.
• Edges have directional qualities.

4. 3. Districts
• Districts are large city areas which bear a common character.
• Districts are defined by thematic continuities or components which
include; activities, topography, degreeof maintenance, building
typologies, spaces and textures.
• Districts are defined by boundaries which can either be;- definite and
precise
- soft and uncertain

5. 4. Nodes
• These are strategic places of importance to the observer.
• These are decision – making points.
• Nodesinclude; - junctions
-break in transportation
-crossing or convergence of path
-moments of shift from one structure
to another.

6. 5. Landmarks
• Landmarks are external points of referenceto the observer.
• They are majorly physical elements.
• An element is considered as a landmark if;
-it has a clear form
- it contrasts with its background
- it has prominence in its spatial location.
• Examples of landmarks include; buildings, mountains, rivers, signs etc.

7. LEGEND
PATH
EDGE
DISTRICT
NODE
LANDMARK
ElementsofUrbanDesigninMlangoKubwa

8. 1. PATH
• Are linkagesfrom one point to
another in the urban setting.
• Pathsare the most
predominant elementsin the
city.
• The majorroads are Juja Road
and muratina Road as shown
onth diagram.
• The rest are minor streets
linkingone to the majorroads
and providing access tothe
residentialareas.

9. StreetConfiguration
• The Street pattern in Mlango
Kubwa area is notwell
defined.
• However, the paths try to form
a grid pattern.
• There is a sense of continuity
and direction along Juja and
Muratina road.
• Within the settlements, the
paths tend change directions
abruptly hence its easy for on
toget lost within the area.

10. • View of Juja Road
• View of Muratina Road
Majorroadsonsite
• Juja road is the busiest road on
site.
• Bothroads are poorly
maintainedwith nos side
walks and street vendors
takingup all the space for
business activities.
• Commercial activitieson
streets intensifiesas one goes
deeper into site.

11. MinorStreetsonsite
• The minor streets are
narrower and some have dead
ends thuspose a challenge on
clear circulation around site.

12. `
2. EDGE
• Edges are boundaries between
2 phases.
• They serve tobound elements
within and define itas one.
• Edges serve the function of
both unitingand dividing.
• The edges should enhance
visibilityand continuity.
• In our case, MlangoKubwa is
bound by road channels,
Mathare River and boundary
wall.

13. NorthernEdge
• Northern edge of siteis
defined by Mathare river
which is poorly maintained
and is a dumping sit for
sewage.

14. EasternEdge
• Eastern edge of site is defined
by a boundary wall dividing
the sit from st. Theresas High
School.
• There is also trees which adorn
this edge apart from the wall.

15. SouthernEdge
• The southern edge, which is
the street frontage is defined
by Juja road, which is also an
administrativeboundary,
dividingMathare from
eastleigh.

16. WesternEdge
• The western edge is defined by
Muratina Road, which
connects toThika Super
Highway.
• The road is totally dominated
by hawkers.
WesternEdge

17. 3. DISTRICTS
• Districts are places of internal
consistences in the city.
• These places have common
thematic continuities which
define them.
• According tothe definition,
MlangoKubwa canbe
identified to have two districts
with regards to building
typologies.
• One consists of mostly high
rise type while the other
shanties.
A
B

18. • District A
• Mostly comprised of shanties,
made of mabati.
• District B
• Mostly made of high rise
structures constructed using
masonry.
• District classificationis in
accordance with dominant
buildingtypologies and the
state of maintenance of
structures.
Districts

19. 4. NODES
• Nodes are places of
importance or focus tothe
observer.
• The mostprominentnodes in
Mlango Kubwa are road
junctions as highlighted inthe
map.
• The are importantfor the sake
of wayfinding in the area.

20. Nodes
The roundabout is
an important
Nodein
Mlango Kubwa.

21. Junction along
Muratina Road
Leading to
Mlango Kubwa

22. 5. LANDMARKS
• Landmarks are externalpoints
of reference tothe observer.
• Thy are mostlyphysical
elments.
• In Mlango Kubwa, Mathare
River acts as a landmark as
well as an edge in th area.
• From the river, one caneasily
trace their way toand from th
site.
• The topography of the area
slopes towards the river.

23. • Mathare river defines the
lowest point of Mlango
Kubwa.
• In wayfinding, one may walk
along the rivertoget to
Muratina road or upslope to
get to Juja road.
• Thus, topography also
enhances the rivr as a
landmark.

24. THE END.