KOROGOCHO

STREETSCAPES:
documenting the role and potentials of streets in citywide slum upgrading
II

KOROGOCHO STREETSCAPES: Documenting the role and potentials of

streets in citywide slum upgrading

All rights reserved

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2012
P.O. Box 30030 00100 Nairobi GPO KENYA
Tel: 254-020-7623120 (Central Office)
www.unhabitat.org

HS/075/12E
ISBN:978-92-1-132489-1

DISCLAIMER

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this

publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the
part of the secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status
of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning
the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries regarding its economic
system or degree of development. Excerpts may be reproduced without
authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. Views expressed
in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations
Human SettlementsProgramme, the United Nations and its member
states.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Task Managers: Matthew French and Roi Chiti

Principal Authors: Maria Höök, Pia Jonsson, Emma Skottke, Marlene

Thelandersson

Contributors: Claudio Acioly, Christophe Lalande, Katja Dietrich, Laura

Petrella, Jose Chong. The authors also acknowledge the contribution
of the residents of Korogocho who gave their time and energy to help
undertake this study.

Design and layout: Maria Höök, Pia Jonsson, Emma Skottke, Marlene
Thelandersson

Programme Support: Helen Musoke

Financial Support: This study has been made possible thanks to the
support of Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Printer: UNON, Publishing Services Section, Nairobi,

ISO 14001:2004-certified

Photos: Daniel Onyango (p. 2), Simon Kuriaki (67, 98, 100, 114. All other
pictures by the authors
 III

KOROGOCHO
STREETSCAPES:
documenting the role and potentials of streets in citywide slum upgrading
IV

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report will explore the role and potentials which facilitates the flow within and to Koro-
of streets in slum upgrading, using the street gocho. As part of the larger number of people
upgrading project in the Korogocho slum in dwelling in the street, the perception of safety
Nairobi, Kenya, as a case study. It focuses on has increased. The level of participation highly
the experiences and perceptions of the resi- affects the resident’s attachment to the streets
dents in Korogocho, and the changes ‘on the and communication is crucial to sensitize
ground’. the community to the changes carried by the
The study argues that successful urban project. Overall, the project has brought posi-
places are based predominately on streets and tive aspects to the community and improved
the connected street life. Streets serve as demo- the life of the residents.
cratic, open public space and as platforms for The publication ends by providing a
economic and social development. Therefore, description of key lessons, and a list of
streets play a fundamental role for the public recommendations for planning, designing
life in cities and particularly in slums, where and maintaining streets in slum upgrading
open space is scarce. programmes and projects.
The key findings of the study reveal that the The publication forms part of an innova-
streets have boosted microeconomic activity, tive shift promoted by UN-Habitat towards
which has increased the number of jobs as well city-wide participatory slum upgrading where
as the available goods in the area. The connec- streets are used as the entry point.
tivity to the larger urban fabric is improved,
V
VI

FOREWORD
In Swahili, the name Korogocho means This is fundamental for creating sustainable
crowded, shoulder to shoulder. We all have and responsive interventions.
seen images of a slum and the reduced public Second, urban planning and the laying of
space citizens living there can share. Each new streets can help generate wealth. Micro-enter-
street means an increase of micro-economic prise activity springs up on street corners, new
activity, safety and security, and mobility. The services and products reach slum households
new streets brought new and fresh connec- and new jobs are created.
tions with the surrounding urban fabric. Third, planning street upgrades or creating
As a former mayor, I have already a strong new streets in all slums in a city helps us ‘go
conviction on the need to reassert urban to scale’ and connect the slums with the wider
design and planning as two key development urban fabric of the city.
drivers of contemporary city building. By What is needed – and what UN-Habitat
laying streets and setting out public space in is advocating for - is a pro-active approach
slums, you delineate public and private space to creating lively and economically produc-
and begin an urban transformation and regen- tive public spaces and streets in slums. This
eration that encourages prosperous cities. publication showcases our emerging princi-
When I speak of streets I do not mean simply ples regarding the importance of streets and
roads for cars. I am talking about streets as community participation in slum upgrading.
multi-functional spaces which contribute to I sincerely thank all those who worked on this
creating a safe, lively, and an economically for their efforts, critical insight and working
productive public realm. with me on a new approach to improving the
As the research carried in this publication living conditions of all urban residents and
shows, streets are an opportune entry point for addressing the challenge of slums.
successful slum upgrading for three reasons:
First, the planning of streets and public
space (as components of overall settlement
master planning) provides an accessible and
positive forum for community participation.
To improve the conditions of slums it is crucial Dr. Joan Clos
to consult with community so that residents Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
can participate in the planning, design, imple- Executive Director, UN-Habitat
mentation, and maintenance of interventions.
VII
VII
VIII

“When you introduce streets and latrines, and put lights in the streets, imme-
diately you have shops that emerge, you have more economic activities. There’s
a virtuous cycle of self-improvement. Yes, this requires an initial investment.
But it also requires dialogue with the stakeholders in slums, the local commu-
nity and the structure owners to agree on the improvements.”
Dr. Joan Clos
Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Interview with Joan Clos, April 2012, Africa Renewal, “For sustainable Cities Africa Needs Plan-
ning”. p17-19.
 IX

CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IV 04: FIELD STUDY FINDINGS 051
FOREWORD VI 04.1 Form 057
Six Main Characters 060
ACRONYMS X
Material 065
KEY CONCEPTS X Form – Key Message 068
04.2 Activities 069
01: INTRODUCTION XII
Attraction Points 070
Background 014
Activity Mapping 072
Streetscapes in Korogocho 015 Street Flow 076
Study purpose 015
Capital Flow 084
Study approach 016
Activities - Key Messages 090
Conceptual framework 016
04.3 Conception 091
Target groups 017
Safety and security 091
Tools 018
Sense of belonging and appropriation 099
Structure of the publication 018 Social Relations 103
Vision 104
02: THE URBAN CHALLENGE 020
Conception - Key messages 106
Urbanization and Slums 022
04.4 Improvement Ideas 107
The Kenyan Context 023 Improvement Ideas from the Community 108
Nairobi Context 024
Korogocho Context 026 05: MAIN FINDINGS & KEY
Slum upgrading 030 LESSONS 110
History of slum upgrading approaches 030 Main Findings 112
In situ upgrading 031 Key lessons for street upgrading
The Korogocho Slum Upgrading projects in slums 119
Programme - KSUP 034
06: RECOMMENDATIONS 123
03: THE ROLE OF STREETS 038
Streets in human settlements 040
Streets as public space 040
Streets and democracy 041
Streets in slums 042
Streets for safety and security 042
Streets for economic prosperity 043
Threats to vibrant streets 043
Streets as an entrypoint to slum
upgrading 044
The Korogocho Street Upgrading
Project 045
X

ACRONYMS
CBO Community Based Organization

CCN City Council of Nairobi

GSGN Good School Good Neighbourhood

KENSUP Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme

KIDDP Kenya Italy Debt for Development Programme

KOWA Korogocho Owners Welfare Association

KSUP Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme

MOLG Ministry of Local Government

NGO Non-governmental Organization

PMU Programme Management Unit

RC Residents Committee - a group of 48 members elected to represent

all villages in Korogocho plus the chief and the area councillor.

UN-Habitat United Nations Human Settlements Programme

KEY CONCEPTS
Appropriation To take possession of space by being or dwelling in it.

Community A group of people containing a various number of different stake

holders, living in the same locality and sharing the same leadership
under the influence of a complex web of power dynamics.

Connectivity A street’s capability of being connected to other streets.

Edge zone The area at the edge of the road reserve.

Flow Continuity of movements and transactions.

Informality Not being in accord with prescribed regulations or forms; unofficial:

not of a formal or official nature.
 XI

Land tenure Tenure is the relationship, whether legally or customarily defined, among
people as individuals or groups, with respect to land and associated natural
resources. Rules of tenure define how property rights in land are to be
allocated within societies. Land tenure systems determine who can use what
resources for how long, and under what conditions.

Microeconomics Study of the economic behaviour of individual units of an economy (such as

a person, household, firm, or industry) and not of the aggregate economy
(which is the domain of macroeconomics). Microeconomics is primarily
concerned with the factors that affect individual economic choices, the effect
of changes in these factors on the individual decision makers, how their
choices are coordinated by markets, and how prices and demand are deter
mined in individual markets.

Participation The involvement of people and organizations in making decisions and taking
action. In this context participation has been interpreted in two broad
ways. Firstly, as a means to improve development activities (instrumental
participation, making the interventions more sustainable by involving the
users or as an end in itself ). Secondly, to ensure people’s influencing of their
own situation acts as empowerment (transformational participation).

Public realm Public sphere or domain that incorporates all areas to which the public has
open access; parks, streetscapes, coastal areas and public places.

Road reserve The total open space that is reserved for the street; the road reserve includes
the carriage ways, pavements and edge zones.

Safety The perception of being safe, experiencing freedom of residing in an area

without feeling vulnerable to harm.

Security The quality or state of being secure as freedom from danger

Settlement The physical environment and the gathering of dwellers within it

Slum United Nations’ operational definition of a slum combines the following five
characteristics:


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TBGF
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*OBEFRVBUF
BDDFTT
UP
TBOJUBUJPO
BOE
JOGSBTUSVDUVSF


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1PPS
TUSVDUVSBM
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Resilience The ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change;

robustness against shocks.
XII

“Streets are undoubtedly the most important elements in a city’s public realm,
the network of spaces and corners where the public are free to go, to meet and
gather, and simply to watch one and other. In fact, the public realm in the city
performs many functions, not only by providing meeting places but also in
(...) representing meaning and identity.”

(Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design. In: Journal of
Urban Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. p. 110)

01:INTRO
 013

DUCTION
014

BACKGROUND
“Streets are undoubtedly the most important the terrain for social interaction and a signifi-
elements in a city’s public realm, the network of cant part of a city’s transaction base.2
spaces and corners where the public are free to Streets serve both the mobility and the social
go, to meet and gather, and simply to watch one functions of a city. Mobility ensures residents
and other. In fact, the public realm in the city to travel, allows them to interact and perform
performs many functions, not only by providing business. Socially, streets make cities liveable;
meeting places but also in (...) representing mean- they foster social and economic growth.3
ing and identity.” (Montgomery, J. (1998). Today we are seeing a rapid and uncontrolled
Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban growth in urban slums that are increasingly
design. In: Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, putting pressure on land and public spaces,
No.1, 1998. p. 110)
which are converted into private use. 4 Often
the need for public space in slums is not
Streets have historically served as through
considered but it is particularly important for
passage and as an important public space.
these settings. Open space is a much-needed
During the motor era roads built for the fast
break from crowded housing conditions, for
movement of traffic replaced dynamic streets.
fresh air and for recreation.5
This vast road-driven transformation, however,
Streets have proven to be one of the oldest
has proven inadequate for creating new devel-
elements of the public realm and are a vital
opment that holds identity and vitality.1
component of livelihoods, and, in many areas,
Successful urban places are based predomi-
perhaps the only space allowing the local
nately on streets and the connected street life.
population to interact.6 Streets in slums are
The presence and size of the street defines
very much needed, to serve as democratic,
economic activity and diversity; it is impor-
open meeting places, public spaces and to aid
tant that at least a proportion of this should
economic and social development in a highly
occur in the streets, squares and spaces in the
public realm. For it is the public realm and dense area.7
associated semi-public spaces which provide
 015

STREETSCAPES IN KOROGOCHO
This study explores the role of streets in slum Open spaces in Korogocho are very few, thus
upgrading. It focuses on the Korogocho slum limiting recreation and forms of social and

Introduction
in Nairobi, Kenya, which is used as a case economic opportunities for the residents.10
study to document the outcomes of installing Korogocho has, however, recently under-
a network of streets. The study pays particu- gone major physical development. Three
lar emphasis to documenting the effects of the interventions have been implemented: a foot-
streets ‘on the ground’, that is, for the residents bridge, a community office and a network
and daily life of Korogocho slum. of streets through the area. The planning
It must be emphasized that this study is process of the Korogocho Slum Upgrad-
not an evaluation of the streets, which would ing Programme (KSUP) has examined the
require more sophisticated tools and more possibilities of using integrated participatory
resources. Instead, this study is underpinned planning steps as a resilient slum upgrading
by a quest to understand the effects of the method.11
streets through documentation. It qualitatively
explores the key opportunities, challenges STUDY PURPOSE
and issues surrounding an approach to slum The study will document the effects of KSUP’s
upgrading where the street (here, broadly street upgrading project in Korogocho to
considered synonymous with public space) is understand the potential of streets in a slum
used as an entry point. upgrading. Placed in relation to the spatial and
According to the 2009 census, the three physical dimensions of the street intervention,
locations that constitute Korogocho slum the study documents the impact of the streets
is home to some 42 000 people,8 including in terms of both the process and outcomes.
the village of Ngomongo, and is Nairobi’s Based on the results, the study aims to draw
fourth-largest slum. Like all slum settlements key lessons and formulate recommendations
in Nairobi, it is home to a large poor popu- that can be utilized in other slum upgrading
lation with no access to minimum services.9 projects and programmes.
016

THE STUDY AIMED TO: The notion of place combines quality in three
t
Understand the activities, uses, actions, essential concepts: physical space (form), the
functions, actors and perceptions that are experienced space (conception) and the activ-
associated with streets in slums in general ity within the space. Overlaid, the concepts
and Korogocho in particular define the components of a sense of place and
t
Understand how the dynamics of the the relationship between them.
streetscape have changed through the Indicators were found revealing tendencies
Korogocho street upgrading project, and within each concept, and thus knowledge
how this has affected the livelihood of the about the role of the streets in an overall
residents upgrading process have been gained. This has
t
Identify key issues and indicators associ- served as a guideline in the construction of the
ated with the street upgrading that can conceptual framework used in the assessment of
generate recommendations to guide the the streets and to understand the influence on
design and implementation of future the community.12
street upgrading projects
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
STUDY APPROACH The conceptual framework can be struc-
In the documentation, the upgraded streets tured into the three concepts, that when put
have been examined in terms of place, with together create a sense of place13:
the belief that streets hold important value to Activity: The activities associated with a place
the community as places. The starting point build upon vitality and diversity. Vitality of a
of the study has been the community’s expe- place refers to the number of people in and
rienced change implied by the streets. In this around the street during different times of
case the ‘community’ consists of the residents the day and night: the presence of an active
that dwell in the public space, the street, hence street life and generally the extent to which
giving it meaning and attributes of place. a place feels alive or lively. Vitality can only
Therefore, theory of place, and consequently be achieved where there is a complex diversity
the residents´ perceptions, will set the frames of primary land uses and activity: diversity
for the study and are outlined below. suggests mixtures of uses and activities.
 017

Conception: Conception is a combination of

FORM
identity and how a place is perceived. To indi- Material
ACTIVITIES
viduals, the conception of a place is therefore Flow of people
Spatial typologies
Spatial relationships
their set of feelings and impressions about that Flow of capital Equipment

Introduction
Traffic
place. The conception reflects cultural and Waste management
Connectivity
Entrances/exits
individual values and beliefs. Illegal activities Topography
Organizations
Form: Activity and conception interrelate Services PLACE (STREET)
with form to generate sense of place. A city’s Business
form can be designed to stimulate activity, CONCEPTION
a positive conception and therefore a strong Memory
sense of place: the form describes the physi- Information
Appropriation
cal shape it takes to support the activities it Safety & security
desires. Social relations
Sense of belonging
From these concepts it can be understood Vision
how activity and conception interrelate with
form to create a sense of place. Conception is Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
established from the built form and the found
activities. Overlaid and put together, the TARGET GROUPS
three categories are fundamental components All groups in the community relate to place,
of a place and will provide the basis for a holis- in this case the streets, as co-creators in some
tic understanding of the dynamics associated way.14 How different groups use, involve and
with the streets. appropriate place can tell a lot about the
To understand the three concepts in the social structures and power relations in the
context of Korogocho and how the streets have community.15
affected the residents, they have been assigned In order to understand the impacts of the
different indicators to enable the revealing of streets fully, it has been important to identify
tendencies. The study has been conducted key actors and stakeholders in the community.
with a heuristic method, refining and adjust- From the start, different groups can be identi-
ing the indicators as the study continues. fied from more evident criteria such as gender,
018

age, ethnicity and religion and later by occu- It provides information concerning slums and
pation or trade followed by location in their previous slum upgrading programmes, lead-
settlement.16 By using the concepts of activ- ing to a discussion concerning urbanization
ity, form and conception as a framework and and globalization. It ends with a description of
simultaneously investigating and comparing the Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme
how different target groups relate to them, a and the key issues that informed the process.
broad view of the impacts in the community The frames for the field study are set through
was found. the theoretical background presented in this
Particular attention was given to vendors, section.
women, children and youths. Children and Chapter 3: The Role of Streets gives an over-
youths are the future of the area and their needs view of streets in human settlements in general
are often forgotten in the planning process. and streets in slum settings in particular. It
Women are also often underrepresented in discusses the importance of streets, not only as
participatory development17, even though a physical construct improving physical acces-
they have an important role in the everyday sibility but also their vital role as public space.
life. They act as the caretaker for the family This then leads to a description of the Korogo-
and thereby have certain needs that might cho street upgrading project.
have been changed by the construction of Chapter 4: Field Study provides the results
the new streets. Women are also often targets and analyses of the new dynamics connected
for criminals and their fears are supported by with the streets in Korogocho. This will guide
statistics on victimization. Vendors play an the recommendations and discussions in the
important role in the public space associated last two parts of the publication.
with the streets, as a place of livelihood. A Chapter 5: Main Findings and Key Lessons
change in this structure may have created an summarizes the findings from the field study
impact to the microeconomics that often is of and points out strengths and weaknesses of
much value for development in slums.18 the project and its process.21
Chapter 6: Recommendations transforms
TOOLS the most important changes to a number of
practical recommendations and addresses key
In order to document the impacts of the streets
issues to consider for future street upgrading
and draw conclusions, three main tools have
projects.
been used to identify indicators; observation,
dialogue and a questionnaire survey. The use of
three different tools has enabled comparison
and triangulation of the indicators and thus
the tendencies and outcomes of the study. Observation
Questionnaires
Photo
Triangulation is valuable when exploring a Sketch (Quantitative)
problem in a comprehensive manner.19 Map studies
Field data collection

STRUCTURE OF THE PUBLICATION TRIANGULATION

The publication consists of six chapters:

Chapter 1: An Introduction to the struc- Dialogue
ture of the publication and methods of the (Qualitative)

investigation. Focus groups

Walks
Chapter 2: The Urban Challenge gives a back- Workshops
ground of urban growth and its impact on
slum formation. It studies the Nairobi case in
Figure 2. Triangulation
general and20 the Korogocho slum in particular.
 019

CHAPTER ONE ENDNOTES

1. Marshall, S. (2005). Streets and patterns. Oxon: 12. Canter, D. (1977) The Psychology of Place. London:
Spon Press. Architectural Press, Punter, J. (1991) Participation in

Introduction
2. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, the design of urban space. Landscape Design 200,
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban pp. 24-27, Relph, E. (1976) Place and Placelessness.
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. London: Pion, pp.1-43.
3. Marshall, S. (2005) Streets and patterns. Oxon: 13. Montgomery, J. (1998) Making a city: Urbanity,
Spon Press. vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban
4. Davis, M. (2007) Planet of Slums. London: Verso. Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998
5. Montgomery, J. (1998) Making a city: Urbanity, 14. Brown, A. (2006) Contested Space. Street trading,
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban public space, and livelihoods in developing cities.
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998 Rugby: ITDG Publishing, Cardiff University.
6. Montgomery, J. (1998) Making a city: Urbanity, 15. Zukin, S. (2011). Naked City – The Death and Life
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban of Authentic Urban Places. New York: Oxford Uni-
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998 versity Press
7. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008) The people’s 16. Hamdi, N. (2010). The Placemaker´s Guide to
property? Power, politics, and the public. Oxon: Building Community. Tools for community planning
Routledge. Earthscan
8. Census vol.1 [online] (2009) Available from: https:// 17. UN-HABITAT, (2003). The Challenge of slums. Lon-
kenya.socrata.com/Population/Census-Volume- don: Earthscan Publications Ltd.
1-Question-1-Population-Households-a/wd27-eki2 18. Brown, A. (2006) Contested Space. Street trading,
(2012-03-25) public space, and livelihoods in developing cities.
9. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio- Rugby: ITDG Publishing, Cardiff University.
economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory 19. Hamdi, N. (2010). The Placemaker´s Guide to Build-
Training Promotions Institute. ing Community. Tools for community planning.
10. Davis, M. (2007) Planet of Slums. London: Verso. Earthscan.
11. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010) Korogocho socio-
economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
Training Promotions Institute.
020

02: THE
URBAN
CHALLEN
 021

GE
“Cities (…) are currently growing by
a million babies and migrants each
week.”
Davis, M. (2007) Planet of Slums. London: Verso.
 022
020

URBANIZATION AND SLUMS

For the first time in history there are now more Urbanization describes the process of
urban dwellers than rural residents. Urban growth in the proportion of people living in
places, towns and cities are of vital importance urban areas while urban growth refers to the
for the distribution of population within proportionate growth of urban areas them-
countries.1 Cities are the engines of growth in selves.4 The fastest urbanizing countries at
the developing world and, due to the current present are those in Africa. African cities have
level of urbanization, the numbers of urban gone through major changes since most coun-
dwellers are destined to increase.2 tries gained formal independence in the early
Urbanization at the global level is a rela- 1960s. They have grown in size due to rural-
tively recent phenomenon. At the end of the urban migration and the lack of urban services
19th Century the extent of world urbaniza- and infrastructure is the result of the mismatch
tion was limited; less than 3 per cent of the between economic and urban growth. In most
world’s population was living in towns and cases economic growth has not matched popu-
cities. With a changing global urban pattern lation growth.5 Global urbanization has so far
consisting of urbanization and urban growth, it resulted in close to one billion people living
is estimated that, by 2025, almost 60 per cent in urban areas and in slums and settlements
of the population will live in towns and cities.3 without adequate shelter.6
 023

...Kenya continues to face the

vast challenges of urbanization
and certainly, the main issue is how
to facilitate an enabling environmen

The urban challenge

to increase the provision of adequate
shelter, employment, and basic urban
services to the slum dwellers...

KENYA
As a result of demographic, economic and migration in Kenya are mainly economic
political realities many Kenyan cities are factors such as high levels of unemploy-
facing critical challenges. Perhaps the most ment9, though urbanization has been taking
important is the ongoing rapid urbaniza- place without the necessary corresponding
tion. People move to Kenya’s cities in search economic development, industrialization or
of employment and other opportunities than increased agricultural growth.10
urban areas offer.7 Kenya’s urban population is After Kenya’s independence from Britain in
at present 40 per cent of the total population 1963 there was a considerable migration of
of 40.5 million. Kenya’s slums have grown at inhabitants from the rural areas to the urban,
an unprecedented rate, and today more than and Nairobi, as the capital city, received the
70 per cent of the urbanites live in slums. largest group. With few other housing alter-
The prevalence of slums in Kenya is due natives, the government implicitly permitted
to a combination of rural-urban migration, the migrants who could not find accommoda-
increasing urban poverty and inequality, high tion to put up shacks in the urban centres and
cost of living, non-transparent land allocation squatter settlements emerged.
systems, land grabbing and, most importantly, Slums currently account for a substantial
insufficient supply of new affordable low- proportion of the settlements in Kenya.11 The
income housing.8 The causes of rural-urban Urban Regulatory Framework fails to meet
024

NAIROBI
the needs of the slum dwellers that live in Since its origin Nairobi has been a strictly
the rapidly growing urban centres of Kenya. divided city and has a long history of margin-
Consequently, the urban poor have been alization and inequity. Slums have existed there
unable to comply with existing planning stand- since colonial times.19 Nairobi was founded in
ards, regulations and administrative systems.12 June 1899 by the British colonial explorers as
The inadequate policy framework has been a a trading centre as a result of the construction
hindrance to the urban poor in their efforts of the Kenya-Uganda Railway.
to improve their physical properties and has The divisions between the different ethnic
instead resulted in rapid expansion and densi- groups - Europeans, Asians and Africans -
fication of slums.13 started with the zoning of residential areas,
The issue of insecure land tenure has been, which were the result of the 1948 Colonial
and still is, the primary key constraint in Master Plan. The plan defined zoned resi-
improving conditions in slum settlements dential areas according to racial segregation.20
and has resulted in structure owners building The European residential area was situated
semi-permanent structures for rent, without west of the city centre. Asians were zoned to
providing adequate facilities for their tenants Parklands, northwest of the city centre, and
and operating completely outside the formal Africans were exclusively restricted to areas
property system.14 The government considered east of the city centre in what came to be
the formations of slums undesirable and on known as “Eastland”.21
and off, from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, Most of the slums that exist in Nairobi
official government policy was to demolish today were established after independence in
slums even though a large part of the urban 1963 mainly being located in the Eastern part
population had no other means of obtain- of the city. With the high rural–urban migra-
ing housing.15 These demolitions proved tion, and with no restricted movement into
unsuccessful as demolition of one settlement the city after independence, which was not
resulted in the dwellers moving elsewhere to accompanied with sufficient supply of low-
start new ones.16 income housing, there has been a significant
Today, Kenya continues to face the vast growth of slums. 22
challenges of urbanization and the main issue The rate of urbanization and slum growth
is how to facilitate an enabling environment has been high: 70 per cent of the population
to increase the provision of adequate shelter, in Nairobi lives in slums that occupy only 5
employment and basic urban services to the per cent of the total land area. The growth
slum dwellers.17 The Government of Kenya is of the slums is alarming and the number of
now acknowledging the existence of slums and slum dwellers is expected to double within the
addressing their conditions through upgrad- next 10 years. 23 Nairobi is a two-faced city,
ing. It is now vital to find sustainable strategies presenting a modern front to the world with
to face the urban growth.18
 025

...70 % of the population in

Nairobi lives in slums that occupy
only 5 % of the total land area...

a growing number of its people living in the

backyard. One side is characterized by formal-
ity and the other by informality. 24
As Kenya’s capital Nairobi is considered by
many to be a successful international city and
a gateway to East Africa,25 but the reality for
most of the city’s residents is very different.
The housing conditions remain poor and are
some of the worst in the world.
The vast majority of Nairobi’s slum dwellers
are tenants and lack security of tenure. 26 The
majority of the slums in Nairobi are let on a
room-to-room basis and most of the house-
holds occupy single rooms. The rents are high
despite poor quality as Nairobi’s slums provide
low-quality high-cost shelter for low-income
residents.27 Several studies indicate that 56
per cent to 80 per cent of the slum house-
holds rent from private-sector landlords who,
in the past, often had the political connec-
tions that helped them gain and protect their
investments.28
026

KOROGOCHO
Korogocho is the fourth most populous slum in other slums. The settlement began with
Nairobi, estimated to house some 42 000 inhab- quarry workers who settled in the area and
itants.29 Korogocho extends over 50 hectares built temporary structures in the early 1970s.
and is mostly located on government-owned It expanded during the second phase of settle-
land, with smaller pockets of private land. It is ment with the resettlement of squatters from
located roughly 11 km from the central busi- slums demolished in other parts of Nairobi in
ness district in the Eastern part of the city. the late 1970s.
High densities, congestion and high unem- In the quest to maintain law and order and
ployment characterize the area. A scarcity of as a part of an attempt to create urban beau-
accessible and potable water remains one of tification, the government undertook slum
the most urgent problems in Korogocho, in demolitions near the city centre but allowed
addition to inadequate or absent infrastruc- those affected to settle in the then city fringes,
ture, education, electricity and community mainly in Korogocho.31
space for people. Korogocho consists of eight Grogan B is one of the villages that is a
villages: Grogan A, Grogan B, Korogocho A, result of this relocation. It is one of the oldest
Korogocho B, Highridge, Gitathuru, Kisumu villages in Korogocho dating back to 1976.
Ndogo and Nyayo.30 The majority of the residents in Grogan B
The majority of the slum dwellers of Koro- came from the Grogan area, in the modern-
gocho are victims of previous evictions in day Kirinyaga Road, to make way for new
 027

...The majority of the slum dwellers

of Korogocho are victims of
previous evictions in other slums...

planned developments.32 Today, Korogocho streets accessible by widening them. Since

is part of the inner city and borders Nairobi’s then, the streets have been appropriated by
largest dumping site, Dandora.33 people and have over time become narrower.
A presidential directive in December 2001, Korogocho has recently undergone major
that the residents of Korogocho should be development through the Korogocho Slum
permanently settled on the land that they already Upgrading Programme (KSUP) with one
occupied, raised the issue of land tenure.34 The aim to maintain and go back to the width of
association of Korogocho structure owners, the streets as they were after the upgrading
the Korogocho Owners Welfare Association in 1987.36 Three main physical interventions
(KOWA), had lobbied the government to get have been implemented in Korogocho within
this directive. This created tension between the the framework of KSUP, as entry points to
structure owners and the majority of residents the upgrading of the area prior to the overall
who were tenants, which brought the issue of participatory planning, inclusive of the inte-
who really ‘owns’ the slum to the fore. Some of grated development strategy: a footbridge,
the structure owners claim to have sole right to a community office and a network of streets
the land while tenants claim that the presidential through the area. The planning process of
directive also included them.35 KSUP has examined the possibilities of using
Korogocho faced its first upgrading in 1987, participatory planning steps as a resilient slum
which consisted of streetlights and making the upgrading method.37
028

THE POLITICAL DIMENSION

COMPETING INTERESTS upgrading programme. Generally, struc-
The future of slums in Kenya is uncer- ture owners want full legal tenure of the
tain, they are the most complicated land on which their structures are built;
and contested in the world thus any at- tenants want recognition of their right to
tempt to improve the conditions in the live there and the possibility of becoming
slums is complex. The different interests land owners. Structure owners are often
competing to either eliminate or keep influential and have a strong interest in
slums in their current state are many. maintaining the status quo, particularly
The official government wants cities because their tenants are a source of
without slums to improve their image both income and potential votes.44 These
and to achieve a modern profile.38 This large conflicts between the formal and
is apparent in the Nairobi Metro 2030, the informal create advanced formal in-
Kenya’s second long-term growth and formal structures that make the situation
development strategy, which shows vi- even more complex.45
sionary images of a modern future with- Present challenges in urban land man-
out slums. This goal visions a country agement can be partly attributable to the
without slums, reached by the Housing fact that official institutions often have
and Elimination of Slums Programme little relation to actual regimes that gov-
that includes a comprehensive urban re- ern land and provide tenure security.46
generation and renewal plan.39 Howev-
GENTRIFICATION
er, it is important to mention the Kenya
Slum Upgrading Programme, KENSUP, The issue of gentrification - former slum
which is a government commitment and settlements increasing in value and be-
a key programme addressing issues con- ing gentrified as lower-income house-
cerning slums and promotes a national holds are forced to relocate because of
approach towards slum upgrading.40 market pressures – is a major concern
A palpable conflict of interest is the in upgrading projects. In particular, the
relation between structure owners and process of legalization has been iden-
tenants. The vast majority of Nairobi’s tified as leading to increases in land
slum dwellers are tenants41 and only 15 value, which in turn creates an oppor-
per cent are large-scale structure own- tunity for a profit by upgrading project
ers.42 The scale of private rental accom- beneficiaries. This rise in land prices
modation suggests that these forms of can also translate into increasing rents
housing, while largely developed outside that can drive out low-income tenants.
of the regulatory framework, remain a The net effect is that upgrading pro-
socially legitimate means of meeting the jects aimed at the urban poor fail to
housing demand in Nairobi.43 reach their original target group and
The structure owners have different benefit upper-income individuals.47
perceptions to the tenants within any
029
030

SLUM UPGRADING
HISTORY OF SLUM UPGRADING
APPROACHES became clear to the public authorities that
“There has been a recognition that effective economic development was not going to
approaches must go beyond addressing the specific integrate the slum populations and some
problems of slums – whether they are inadequate governments used a repressive approach, a
housing, infrastructure or services – and must combination of various forms of harassment,
deal with the underlying causes of urban poverty” leading to eviction of slum dwellers.50
(UN-HABITAT, (2003). The Challenge of The mass demolitions of slums and dismissal
slums. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd. p. of their residents were justified by stating
that slum dwellers were the actual cause of
166)
urban poverty and that the presence of them
would encourage further migration.51 Evic-
It can be observed that the development
tion and forced resettlements that were once
of policies regarding urban renewal gradu- seen as appropriate actions by governments
ally evolved from demolition and eviction for improving housing standards were increas-
approaches to softer, more socially, economi- ingly recognized as a gross violation of human
cally, culturally and environmentally sensitive rights.52 Since the late 1980s global policy
approaches.48 concerning slums has shifted to the improve-
Negligence and inaction towards slums ment of informal areas in situ rather than
dominated practices in most developing coun- replacing them, or the large-scale relocation of
tries until the early 1970s. It was underpinned slum dwellers, to new housing.53
by two basic assumptions: slums were illegal, The advancement in the ideas and belief in
and slums were an unavoidable but a tempo- slum upgrading brought an awareness of the
rary phenomenon that could be overcome by need to involve slum dwellers and ‘partici-
economic development.49 The focus was there- pation’ was increasingly recognized as an
fore on providing formal affordable housing, important component of upgrading approach.
often through direct government involvement During the late 1980s and 1990s enabling
in the planning, design, construction and policies became prominent in global policy
maintenance of low-income housing. ‘Sites discourse, which called for involving the slum
and services’ schemes were also promoted as a dwellers in the decision-making and design
way to increase the supply of affordable hous- processes to establish priorities for action and
ing and minimize slum growth. to support project implementation.54 The
In the early1970s approaches towards slums legitimacy of local people’s knowledge and
shifted towards evicting slum dwellers. It
 031

The urban challenge

experiences became clear, and much of the In situ upgrading cares for the kinship ties
attention had shifted from ‘rapid’ to ‘partici- and organizational network that make life
patory’ approaches.55 viable for those at the margin. It facilitates
In 2000, the Government of Kenya the transformation of slums into integrated
acknowledged the presence of slums56 and communities, which promotes economic and
the focus shifted from demolition to a wider political stability.62
context of sustainable development, involving In essence, in situ slum upgrading often
in situ improvement approaches.57 The capac- consists of two key components: formalizing
ity of communities for self-organization and in slums through legal and regulatory instru-
situ upgrading through participatory planning ments and improving housing, public spaces,
of slums has become key to developmen- streets and basic services. Slum upgrading
tal policy.58 More attention is given to issues also involves improving employment and
concerning the well-being of the community, education opportunities, developing new
preservation of social, cultural and economic community facilities, and connecting slums
capital and promotion of economic develop- into the wider urban fabric, both spatially
ment as well as the extension of democratic (roads, streets, etc.) and in terms of urban
processes.59 services (such as public transport, policing and
fire fighting services).63
IN SITU UPGRADING
An overall aim is to increase the dwellers’
In situ upgrading of slums is an appropriate security against demolition of their shelter as
improvement strategy as it is arguably the this gives legitimacy and rights.64 By treating
most effective approach economically and the residents as an active force in the housing
socially, and should be considered as a key and upgrading process, a greater pride in the
option for addressing the challenge of slums.60 neighbourhood is generated and this can safe-
Forced eviction, resettlement and demoli- guard the community structures.65
tion of slums create more problems than they
solve. Abolition and relocation destroys a large
stock of affordable housing to the urban poor
and resettlement can terminate the proxim-
ity of slum dwellers to their livelihoods and
support networks.61
032

EXPERIENCES WITH SLUM UPGRADING

Over the past three decades many slum upgrading projects and programmes have been under-
taken in the world; some have failed while others have succeeded in creating better environments
for the slum dwellers and connected slums to their adjacent formal urban environment to make
inclusive and integrated cities. By learning from past experiences it is possible to reflect on the
outcomes of slum upgrading products and processes.

SPARC & KRVIA REINTERPRETING STREETS IN DHARAVI, MUMBAI, INDIA

In 2009 SPARC, one of the largest community clusters and activities were
Non-governmental organisations in mapped and an analysis of the existing
India, partnered with architects from pedestrian movement and cooperative
Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for boundaries determined a phased hier-
Architecture (KRVIA) to develop a archy of streets. Planners and designers
community-led strategy for redeveloping observed that it would not be possible to
the master plan. The aim was to advise plan larger-scale issues if the focus rested
the government and set a precedent on small cooperative societies. Instead
in how communities can participate in larger community clusters were formed
upgrading projects.73 and given the freedom to decide the lev-
The plan illustrates a public-space el of collaboration they wanted to take.75
and street-driven approach, combining Local neighbourhood communities
several types of interventions.74 The would control the improved spaces.
concept was that the existing urban One of the main ideas was to place
configuration would determine the educational institutions alongside these
upgrading approach. spaces, so that the spaces could be used
The residential groups chose one of the as playgrounds during festivities and
densest sectors in the plan, to address religious celebrations.76
as a pilot. Structures, land uses, natural
 033

METRO CABLE, CARACAS, VENEZUELA

The Caracas Metro Cable, constructed in when macro-organization and micro-de-

2010, operates as a branch of the metro velopment complement one another.70
connecting the hilly slums of San Agustin Positive outcomes from this physical
del Sur with the rest of the city. The slums intervention include basic services and
of Caracas have long suffered from ex- sanitation, increase in physical connec-
clusion and lack of infrastructure.66 Facili- tions and the enhancement of public
ties are often situated in the city centre spaces. The intervention has a strong
and as a result there is both great physi- focus on identity and representation; a
cal fragmentation and increasing socio- unique identity is important to fight the
political isolation.67 stigmatization that lingers with many in-
The introduction of cable cars in the formal and marginalized communities.71
dense slum has the advantage of little It is significant to look at the structural
demolition of existing structures for the limitations of a purely physical interven-
construction.68 The local authority imple- tion to implement a formal intervention
mented the metro system in collabora- in a non-formal city. Physical infrastruc-
tion with the architectural firm Urban ture organizes the urban space while so-
Think Tank. The intention was to design cial infrastructure ensures that the space
in response to people’s needs and their is appropriated and productively used
specific conditions of habitation.69 The and maintained. In any slum upgrading
project informs the importance of look- programme, physical and social inter-
ing at the city as a holistic system, which ventions should be brought together.72
can only be functionally transformed
034

THE KOROGOCHO SLUM UPGRADING

PROGRAMME - KSUP
The Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme t
Prepare a situation analysis of the area
(KSUP) started in 2007. It is an initiative that including base mapping, structure
aims to upgrade Korogocho slum in order to numbering and enumeration of residents
improve the living and working conditions
for the residents. It is a joint initiative with t
Build capacity of various actors/institu-
funding support through a debt for develop- tions including community
ment swap by the Government of Italy and
the Government of Kenya.77 The project was t
Prepare an advisory physical plan for
estimated for a time period of two years with Korogocho
a total budget of KES 210 million (USD 2.49
million).78 t
Prepare sustainable integrated develop-
The KIDDP (Kenya-Italy Debt for Devel- ment plan for Upgrading Korogocho
opment Programme) aims to empower t
Provide security of tenure to the residents
district communities by achieving sustain- of Korogocho
able economic growth, increase employment
and decrease poverty through a bottom-up t
Implement concrete improvements to
community-demand driven approach.79 ensure tangible and immediate impacts
on the community
Total cost KSUP KES 210 million
Programme A listening survey, carried out in June 2008, was
set out to collect information from the eight
Street upgrading KES 141 million
project (incl. drainage different villages in the project area as an initial
system, pavements, exercise to inform a detailed understanding of
streetlights, etc.) Korogocho and identify the priority needs of
Footbridge KES 3.5 million the residents. The three main physical interven-
tions were planned and initiated based on the
Health Facility KES 15.5 million
results of the listening survey.81
Residents Committe KES 1.2 million Concurrent with the implementation of
House the three infrastructural projects, a detailed
situation analysis inclusive of base mapping,
structure numbering and enumeration of
The Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme residents was implemented and finalized
approach involved coordinated support to the in August 2010. The whole package of data
community in order to provide the residents was entered in a Geographic Information
with security of tenure through an appropri- System (GIS) platform in order to assist the
ate land tenure system. The aim was also to programme planning and decision-making
prepare and implement actions to improve the process. To further inform the planning
physical, economic and social living condi- process, participatory tools were used to high-
tions for the residents of Korogocho. The light problems and opportunities and assist
major outputs of the programme, as defined the community to outline a shared vision for
by KSUP80, were: the neighbourhood.82
 035

The urban challenge

A LARGER CONTEXT fostering inclusivity to the KSUP planning
However, the objectives of the programme process, a multi-dimensional approach to
must be seen in the larger political context of safety and participatory planning/design
Nairobi. The concentration of poor house- tools was piloted in order to assist the local
holds in Nairobi is seen as a burden in the people to position the school at the centre
competition with other cities and stands in of the community, influencing the ongoing
conflict with the neo-liberal visions for the development.
city’s future, where a strong economy is seen The identification of the school as a poten-
as the most important driving factor for devel- tial multi-purpose facility and enhanced
opment. Some suggest that, concealed in community public-space was part of a strat-
the terminology of participation and in situ egy that intended to create a strengthened
upgrading, changing Nairobi’s social geog- network of public spaces to act as platforms
raphy has become a part of the strategy for for social changes. The public space network
developing the competitiveness of the city. was thought to include the two public schools,
The main means to reach this goal is to change the reinforced streets and the river reserve
the housing stock in the slums in terms of size, created by the plans as well as the market,
standard and tenure through urban upgrading an upgrading project proposal for which has
and renewal projects, resulting in a socio- already been submitted to the programme
economic upgrading.83 steering committee for approval.

UN-HABITAT’S ROLE IN KOROGOCHO

SLUM UPGRADING PROGRAMME
(KSUP)
UN-Habitat’s role in the KSUP is limited
to a technical advisory role exerted within the
multi-partners programme steering commit-
tee led by the Ministry of Local Government,
and to the joint implementation of specific
programme components requiring innovative
tools and knowledge.84
Together with the implementation of the
Korogocho situation analysis and the support
to the planning process through its partici-
pation in the interagency technical working
group established to guide the plans prepara-
tion, UN-Habitat qualitatively contributed to
the overall upgrading process of the slum, with
the initiative dubbed ‘Good School Good
Neighbourhood’ (GSGN).
With the aim at building capacity as well
as improving community awareness and
036

CHAPTER TWO ENDNOTES

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54. UN-HABITAT, (2003). The Challenge of slums. London: 76. UN-HABITAT. (Unpublished, 2011). Streets as Pillars
Earthscan Publications Ltd. of Urban Transformation: A UN-HABITAT approach
55. Mitlin, D. & Thompson, J. (1995). Participatory ap- to Participatory Street-led Citywide Slum Upgrading.
proaches in urban areas: strengthening civil society UN-HABITAT: Working Paper 1.Nairobi, August 2011
or reinforcing the status quo? In: Environment and 77. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-econom-
Urbanization 1995 No. 7 Vol. 231 ic survey report. Prepared by Participatory Training
56. Saunders, D. (2010). Arrival city. How the largest migra- Promotions Institute.
tion in history is reshaping our world. London: Random 78. Kago, J.”Re: Questions about Korogocho street
House Ltd. upgrading”. Personal e-mail dated 22 May 2012.
57. Gossaye, A. (2008). Inner-city renewal in Addis Ababa – 79. Kenya-Italy Debt for Development Programme
The impact of resettlement on the socio-economic and (2008) Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme,
housing situation of low income residents. VDM Verlag. Government of Kenya, Nairobi.
58. Mitlin, D. & Thompson, J. (1995). Participatory ap- 80. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-
proaches in urban areas: strengthening civil society economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
or reinforcing the status quo? In: Environment and Training Promotions Institute.
Urbanization 1995 No. 7 Vol. 231 81. Kago, J.”Re: Questions about Korogocho street
59-60. Gossaye, A. (2008). Inner-city renewal in Addis upgrading”. Personal e-mail dated 22 May 2012.
Ababa –The impact of resettlement on the socio-eco- 82. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-
nomic and housing situation of low income residents. economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
VDM Verlag. Training Promotions Institute.
61. UN-HABITAT, (2003). The Challenge of slums. London: 83. Nairobi Ministry of Metropolitan [online] (2008)
Earthscan Publications Ltd. Metro 2030 Strategy. Available from: http://www.
62. Gossaye, A. (2008). Inner-city renewal in Addis Ababa – nairobimetro.go.ke/index.php?option=com_
The impact of resettlement on the socio-economic and docman&Itemid=80 (2012-03-30)
housing situation of low income residents. VDM Verlag. 84. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-
63-64. Saunders, D. (2010). Arrival city. How the largest economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
migration in history is reshaping our world. London: Training Promotions Institute.
Random House Ltd.
038

03:THE
ROLE OF
STREETS
 039

“...Principals of spatial organization and orientation in space are based upon the
human body in relation to other humans and objects. When the urban space
conforms to the human body we can feel in command and comfortable in the
space. A streetscape is a humanscape, if nothing else by the relation of the street
to the body...”
Tuan, Y-F. (1974). Space and place: humanistic perspective. In: Progress in Geography No. 6 pp.
211-252
040

STREETS IN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

“Good urban places are judged by their street life. For it is in streets as multipurpose spaces - that
all the ingredients of city life are combined: public contact, public social life, people-watching,
promenading, transacting, natural surveillance and culture. Streets bring together people who do
not know each other in an intimate, private social sense, including strangers.”

Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design.

In: Journal of Urban Design. Vol. 3 No.1.

A good street is one that allows people to be provides the dynamic quality of success-
in contact with each other but simultaneously ful urban places.7
gives the option for individuals to remain The street, the pavement and the yard can
private and respect the privacy of others.1 all serve as meeting places. A place can be
People who reside in a slum and act within as small as the node where activities meet.
the neighbourhood often feel a powerful Street corners are places used for activities
attachment to their local street. The street is such as lunch breaks, vending or just to
a fine balance of essential privacy and varying dwell in.
degrees of public and private contact.2 The street, though, is not generally such
Successful urban places are based largely on a place in itself; it is directed horizon-
street life, and the various ways in which activ- tal space. When a street is transformed
ity occurs in and through buildings and spaces. into a centre, where people stay without
For it is the public realm and the street as having a certain direction, it becomes a
public space that provides the terrain for social non-directed horizontal space and thus a
interaction through activities such as markets, place.8
the street vendor and pavement activities.3 The streets of Korogocho contain both
Historically, urban streets have served not directed and non-directed space and
only as a thoroughfare but also as public space. thereby become places for spontaneous
During the motor revolution, vehicular roads meetings and social interactions. The
built for the fast movement of traffic replaced street creates opportunities to reside in
these streets.4 The creation of such vast road- public.9
driven transformation to suburban non-places,
which tend to be neatly laid out, organized STREETS AS PUBLIC SPACE
around a hierarchical pattern of roads, as Public spaces are spaces of sociability.
opposed to streets, has proven dysfunctional Spaces such as streets, street corners and
for creating new development that lacks empty lots provide a stage for economic,
identity and vitality.5 Streets and roads are social and political activities – public
perceived as something contradictory. spaces in this sense are social spaces.10 It
Merriam-Webster defines streets and roads is debatable whether the physical form
as parted concepts based on where they are and location of public spaces influences
situated: the street is within a city while the the public’s perceptions and whether
road lies outside an urban district.6 Today, they can create social interaction.11 But
planners are returning to traditional street- through social actions streets are made
based urban designs for it is the street life that public.12
 041

It can be assumed that public space is the STREETS AND DEMOCRACY

space for public actions13 but also provides “Until the urban poor are given an adequate
the opportunity for people to perform private voice to challenge underlying perceptions of the
as well as civic roles.14 This means that public role of public space and its position in the cultural
space is multi-functional and, by implica- and economic agenda of cities, exclusion will
tion, this allows for questions about public remain the dominant policy response.” (Brown,
and private space and about the nature of A. (2006). Contested Space. Street trading,
publicity.15 public space, and livelihoods in developing cities.
As the streets act as one of the few open Rugby: ITDG. p. 26, p. 26)
public spaces in Korogocho this is one of
the few situations where the private and the As mentioned, public spaces are often appro-
public activities meet and form the public priated spaces that are transformed and then
space; the street is a space to move through defended. In the process of taking a new space,
and a place to be in.16 Today, public spaces are democratic sociability can be created and a
designed to feature necessary activities; due to new kind of public sphere is possible.22 To
this, optional and spontaneous activities are be in and to be seen in the public space can
washed away.17 in itself be seen as a statement; it is a way to
In most slums, open spaces are limited and represent oneself to a larger audience and it is
this indicates that community members meet important in terms of appropriating a space.23
or socialize along the streets due to a lack of Due to a lack of open urban spaces in slums,
other alternatives.18 A vast part of the social streets are often the only public space avail-
life takes place in the streets thus open public able24 and in this sense they are essential to the
spaces are vital for spontaneous social meetings functioning of democracy. Streets facilitate the
and contacts between neighbours and stran- representation of organizations and individu-
gers.19 To create a safe and vibrant street life, the als who impact upon the public. Those who
streets have to act as public space that nurtures have an interest in transforming the current
spontaneous, optional and necessary activi- society should therefore see the right of the
ties.20 The street is the basis for our experience public to the street as a question of influence
of cities21; in Korogocho the streets have mixed and democracy.25
uses and support the making of public spaces.
042

STREETS IN SLUMS
STREETS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY acute risk of crime and violence. Often, they
Slums are often perceived by outsiders, as rank either among the prime victims of urban
well as slum dwellers themselves, as unsafe crime or the common perpetrators. It is not an
and insecure.26 As slums seem to lack a clear issue of poverty but rather of the gap between
form and structure, one which can provide the social groups and neighbourhoods that could
basis for feelings of safety and security, they cause frustration that influences the level of
are often experienced as threatening environ- crime.32
ments to the majority of people who dwell A prerequisite for the situation in a slum
to improve is when a slum becomes lively
outside of them.27 The recognition and orien-
enough to promote and enjoy public life. The
tation in our surrounding is crucial; when we
wish to reside in a slum is influenced by physi-
feel lost we feel apprehensive and with disori-
cal factors in the neighbourhood. The valued
entation comes fear.28 security of one’s home, in part, is a literal secu-
Streets can be vital elements in providing rity from physical fear.
a sense of orientation in an area. Paths with Experience has shown that slums where
clear and well-known origins and destinations the streets are empty and where residents are
have stronger identities and help tie an area unsafe are less likely to improve spontane-
together.29 To add orientation and overview ously.33 Streets that gather the movement
to an area generates an experienced feeling of and activity of people provide a high degree
security for both dwellers within and outside of natural surveillance where the presence of
the area. other people generates self-policing.34
Building streets to improve access into and The feeling of trespassing on someone else’s
within slums has been proven to enhance territory is highly connected with built struc-
safety and reduce fear of crime. Access to the ture, safety and activities. If there are no public
rest of the city in combination with easier activities in an area then a visitor might experi-
orientation can increase the number of people ence uncertainty and trespassing.35
from outside who enter a slum area. Thus How cities are structured can affect inci-
raising the level of activity and bridging the vilities. Cities that have attractive and lively
socio-spatial gap with the rest of the city.30 public spaces and streets life combined with
In highly unequal societies, levels of violence little segregation experience higher level of
and crime are high.31 Social cohesion can security.36
reduce social inequalities and exclusion, and According to the safety audit conducted in
bridge the gap of urban segregation. Slum Korogocho before the street upgrading took
dwellers and the urban poor face a particularly
 043

place, many crime hotspots were located THREATS TO VIBRANT STREETS

around street crossings and along thorough- Many stakeholder interests claim city space.
fares.37 Adequate streetlights, streets and City authorities often seek to organize space
community facilities have been shown to have and ‘make the city beautiful’; traffic police

The role of streets

a direct effect on the perceived safety and want to improve circulation and investors seek
security.38 There is a difference between actual a stable environment free of chaos.
safety and perceived safety. The perceived The dominant ideology of municipal guide-
security is related to public space; if people lines in the south is highly influenced by
feel safe in the public space there are better northern city management policies. Concepts
opportunities for that area to improve, which of aesthetics and public order lead to a desire
in turn increases safety.39 to ´tidy´ and ´control´ public space. Streets
located in areas with high levels of compet-
STREETS FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ing interests and busy flows of people are
Streets are corridors for the movement of more frequently the focus of conflict. This
people, vehicles and goods that support the is a dilemma as locations with busy pedes-
urban economy. Millions of livelihoods in trian flows are key sites for street vending.42
cities of the global south are dependent on When one interest grows overwhelming it can
the street space. cause over-crowding, traffic problems, public
In most urban centres a range of activities health dangers and petty crime such as pick
take place in and around the street: vend- pocketing.43
ing, hawking, services such as shoe mending, Authority’s response of to conflict is often
handicrafts, metalwork and also transpor- the removal of unconventional street uses
tation. In addition, urban street vending like roller skating, cultural events or informal
supports a complex and largely hidden econ- vending. Attempts to control street life can
omy of suppliers, money-lenders, landlords, have drastic effects both on economy and the
importers and exporters. The informal street level of activity in and around the street.44 As
economy is often largely unrecognized by stated above, streets with a high level of activity
urban authorities and dismissed as surviv- generate more and new activities and are often
alist, chaotic and peripheral even though it viewed as safer than uninhabited streets.45 The
employs many people. In developing coun- street is the most visible place where police
tries street vendors are a key element of the exert authority with a mandate for territorial
urban economy where each layer in the hier- control.46 However, police can never achieve
archy gains economic advantage. complete street sovereignty because they do
The street economy is a wide concept that not control the social- and gender dynamics
embraces all the commercial and business that has an effect on the street life.47
activities that to some extent profits from the Access to street life is affected by culture.
street. The street economy includes profitable Usually it is the culture of the group with most
enterprises, which can be a stepping-stone to resources and influence that dominates space,
secure work.40 culturally-controlled environments where
As stated above, the actual construction privatizing and commercializing takes over the
of streets in slums can provide an immedi- space, which leads to the exclusion of other
ate economic boost if a local work force is activities.48 Any built environment does not
utilized. The increased access of outsiders wholly determine how people interact but it
to the area and better relationships with does constrain the range of interaction possi-
surrounding economies can also enhance the ble. Culture and power in urban design can
circulation of money in the area.41 result in the inclusion and exclusion of certain
groups from urban society and urban space.49
044

STREETS AS AN ENTRYPOINT TO SLUM

UPGRADING
UN-Habitat recently introduced a shift in the facilitating a gradual regularization and secu-
discourse of slum upgrading towards a ‘street- rity of tenure. Streets promote connectivity
led approach’.50 The approach is based on and, through the establishment of street
streets as fundamental in urban development addresses and virtual maps, an improved
in general, and in the regeneration of slums in access to services and infrastructure as well as
particular. Streets are dealt with as the social providing security through the implementa-
place of identity and citizenship formation. tion of streetlights and increased interaction.51
When streets connect with the overall city The opening of streets claims space. It must
infrastructure they can function as a cross- be recognized that social networks are a vast
cutting element for a broad improvement of part of the social capital in slum areas. To keep
quality in life in the slums. livelihoods intact, governments must ensure
UN-Habitat advocates for a move towards availability of land and housing for the reset-
the opening of streets in slums as a strategic tlement of households required to make way
intervention for citywide slum upgrading. for streets in case there is no possible alterna-
Participation and slum-dweller ownership of tive within the settlement. The proximity and
the process is key in order to increase confi- connectivity to a new housing location is vital
dence, citizenship rights and obligations in order to prevent the disruption of social
among residents. This is believed to support networks and residents’ livelihoods.
the self-improvement of the economic and Finally, a street-led approach to slum
physical conditions in slums. upgrading must be contextual and treat every
Importantly, streets are looked upon not case in its own terms. Conditions for a success-
only as the physical entity for mobility and ful integration of each individual area must be
accessibility but also as the public realm that created in relation to its surrounding urban
articulates and promotes social, cultural and fabric and to the city as a whole.52
economic activities. Streets give space a name,
 045

THE KOROGOCHO STREET UPGRADING PROJECT

The Street Upgrading Project was executed as The street upgrading project includes four

The role of streets

an activity within the framework of the larger streets: Kamunde Road, Market Road,
Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme. Community Lane and Mama Ngendo Road.
The programme wanted to implement some They cover a total distance of 3.64 kilometres56
initial physical changes while advancing on and were prioritized on the basis that they
the community mobilization and trust build- did not require much relocation and ensured
ing, as the preparation of the situation analysis circulation in all eight villages.57
was being finalized. Attempts to upgrade the Several people from different institutions
area had been done before but failed and this were involved in the project and created a
was reason for a quick physical implementa- technical team58:
tion. The streets were implemented as quick
win projects before the planning was done t
Resident Engineer (County Council
because planning had to await enumeration Nairobi)
and a socio-economic survey.53 t
Project Surveyor (Ministry of local
The selection of streets as an infrastruc- Government)
ture intervention was based on the priorities t
Project Quantity Surveyor, (Ministry of
identified by the residents’ committee during Local Government)
the numerous consultations and particularly t
Project Engineer (Ministry of Local
at the training workshop in August 2008. Government)
During this workshop, the main priorities t
2 Chainsmen (casuals)
were stated as drainage systems, streetlights t
Draughtsman(County Council Nairobi)
and access roads. Consequently, the upgrading t
Driver (casual)
of the streets in the community was identified t
Community Liaison (3 members of the
as a project that would help to establish the Residents Committee – Chairman, Secre-
residents’ confidence in the overall upgrad- tary and Treasurer)
ing programme. The motivation was to do
a project that, covering the whole area and The project was monitored directly by
reaching all villages, would make the entire the technical team, and monitored in addi-
community feel beneficial.54 tion by the KSUP Programme Manager and
The infrastructure improvement of the Programme Coordinator from the Programme
streets aimed at integrating Korogocho with Management Unit (PMU), located within the
other parts of Nairobi, improving accessibil- Ministry of Local Government, as well as by
ity and connectivity to both a larger context the donor (the Italian Cooperation) through
and also to neighbouring estates, as well as the Programme officer.59
developing security through increasing busi- The Project Surveyor, the Project Quan-
ness opportunities and street lighting. The tity Surveyor and the community, through
project was envisioned to improve the image the Residents’ Committee, did a pre-study of
of the area and bring a sense of pride among the streets to ascertain the road reserve, the
the residents. Furthermore, the streets were number of structures to be demolished as a
thought to open up the area for development, result of the expansion of the road, the terrain
facilitate planning and security of tenure and geology and the amount of benefit the
provision, together with acting as a testing project would bring to the community. The
ground in terms of community acceptance of layout of the streets was developed according
the programme.55 to the mapped village boundaries.60
046

The Project Surveyor and Resident Engineer event acted to make the construction official,
from the Ministry of Local Government and which sensitized those whose housing struc-
the City Council of Nairobi did the techni- tures would be affected by the construction of
cal design, including the width of the street, the streets to the reliability of the project.64
drains, curves, and footpaths. They were also The street upgrading project has been
responsible for assuring that the agreed stand- undergoing different phases. The Residents’
ard for the design was followed and were Committee supervised the removal of the
assisted by the chainsmen who were available encroaching structures facilitating the process
daily throughout the construction period. of relocation.65 The project hired local labour to
The Engineer gave the contractor instruc- the largest extent possible in the construction
tions on what works should be done. He was process, which provided occasional employ-
in charge of all the overall management of the ment for several youths.66 As the project was
project and did the official communication to a quick win project the public was represented
the contractor through written correspond- by one representative from each village.67
ence. He called for regular meetings and site Kamunde Road, leading from northeast to
inspection to ascertain the progress of the southwest and connecting Kariobangi area to
project attended by the technical team, the the two primary schools, was started in the
Programme Manager, the contractor and the beginning of 2010 followed by Market Road,
Programme Officer from the donor.61 which passes the Market in the southwest of
The Project Quantity Surveyor did the Korogocho. The construction of Community
Bills of Quantity and the estimates. These Lane, leading through Grogan area towards
were then tendered by advertisement in the the primary schools, and Mama Ngendo
national newspapers, opening of tenders, Road, connecting Korogocho to Dandora
evaluation and award of tenders. The total dumping site by a new footbridge, was started
cost for the Street Upgrading Project was KES in June/July of 2010.
141 million. As it is part of the Korogocho
Slum Upgrading Programme it is financed by t
Layout Design: The Engineer from the
the Government of Italy, through the Italian City Council of Nairobi.
cooperation, and the Government of Kenya.62 t
Technical Design: The Programme
In August 2009, the contract for construct- Surveyor and the Engineer from the
ing the streets was handed over during a public Ministry of Local Government and the
event at the chief ’s camp. In Kenya, contrac- City Council of Nairobi.
tors are selected through a competitive bidding t
Financer: Government of Italy and the
process governed by the Procurement Act. The Government of Kenya.

STREET LENGHT (km) ROAD RESERVE (m) PRIORITY

Kamunde Road 1,64 18 A
Market Road 0,9 18 B
Community 0,75 12 C
Road
Mama Ngendo 0,39 12 D
Road

*Planned length, road reserve and priority of the streets. 63

 047
036

THE STREET PROJECT PROCESS

2008 August – Workshop. The Residents’ Committee was asked to identify the
main priority projects that could be done as they await
other soft based activities like enumeration of residents,
socio-economic survey, planning and security of tenure.
The main problems identified by the representatives were
poor access roads, drainages, streetlights and water and
sewerage system. It was agreed that since by rehabilitat-
ing the main streets all the villages would benefit, it was
the best project to settle down on. Drainage and street-
lights could be resolved as part of the road construction.

2009 A layout design was created by the Resident Engineer from

the City Council of Nairobi. The Programme Surveyor and
the Engineer from the Ministry of Local Government and
the City Council of Nairobi created the technical design.

2009 August The contract was handed over to the constructor.

2010 The construction of Kamunde Road started.

2010 The construction of Market Road started.

2010 June/July The construction of Community Lane and Mama Ngendo

Road started.
048

CHAPTER THREE ENDNOTES

1. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: 18. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety
using public space. 6. ed. København: The through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-
Danish Architectural Press. HABITAT.
2. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of 19. Lieberg, M. (1995). Teenagers and Public
Great American Cities. London: Vintage Space. Communication Research. December.
Books. Vol 22, no.6.
3. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: 20. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings:
Urbanity, vitality and urban design. London: using public space. 6. ed. København:
Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. The Danish Architectural Press., Lieberg,
4. Marshall, S. (2005). Streets and patterns. M. (1995). Teenagers and Public Space.
Oxon: Spon Press. Communication Research. December. Vol
5. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: 22, no.6
Urbanity, vitality and urban design. London: 21. Relph, E. (1976). Place and Placelessness.
Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. London: Pion, pp.1-43
6. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary [online] 22. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The
(2008) Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate people’s property? Power, politics, and the
Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Available from: public. Oxon: Routledge.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (2012- 23. Mitchell, D. (2003). The Right to the City.
03-14) Social Justice and the Fight for Public Space.
7. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: New York: The Guilford Press.
Urbanity, vitality and urban design. London: 24. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety
Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, No.1, through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-
1998., Marshall, S. (2005). Streets and HABITAT.
patterns. Oxon: Spon Press. 25. Mitchell, D. (2003). The Right to the City.
8. Tuan, Y-F. (1974). Space and place: Social Justice and the Fight for Public Space.
humanistic perspective. Progress in New York: The Guilford Press.
Geography 6: 211-252 26. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety
9. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-
using public space. 6. ed. København: The HABITAT.
Danish Architectural Press. 27. Abbott, J. (2004). Upgrading an Informal
10. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The Settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. In:
people’s property? Power, politics, and the Reconsidering Informality- Perspectives
public. Oxon: Routledge. from Urban Africa. Edited by Karen Tranberg
11. Lynch, K. A. (1960). The image of the city. Hansen and Mariken Vaa. Spain: Nordiska
USA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Afrika Institutet.
12. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The 28. Tuan, Y-F. (1974). Space and place:
people’s property? Power, politics, and the humanistic perspective. Progress in
public. Oxon: Routledge. Geography 6: 211-252
13. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The 29. Lynch, K. A. (1960). The image of the city.
people’s property? Power, politics, and the USA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
public. Oxon: Routledge. 30. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety
14. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-
Urbanity, vitality and urban design. London: HABITAT.
Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. 31. Warah, R. (2011). Red soil and roasted
15. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The maize. Selected essays and articles on
people’s property? Power, politics, and the contemporary Kenya. USA: AuthorHouse.
public. Oxon: Routledge. 32. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety
16. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-
using public space. 6. ed. København: The HABITAT.
Danish Architectural Press. 33. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of
17. Lieberg, M. (1995). Teenagers and Public Great American Cities. London: Vintage
Space. Communication Research. December. Books.
Vol 22, no.6.
 049

34. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: 46. Mitchell, D. (2003). The Right to the City.
Urbanity, vitality and urban design. Social Justice and the Fight for Public Space.
London: Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3, New York: The Guilford Press.
No.1, 1998., Gehl, J. (2006). Life between 47. Brown, A. (2006). Contested Space. Street
buildings: using public space. 6. ed. trading, public space, and livelihoods in

The role of streets

København: The Danish Architectural Press., developing cities. Rugby: ITDG Publishing,
Lieberg, M. (1995). Teenagers and Public Cardiff University.
Space. Communication Research. December. 48. Kärrholm, M. (2004). Arkitekturens
Vol 22, no.6. territorialitet, till en diskussion om territoriell
35. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using makt och gestaltning i stadens offentliga
public space. 6. ed. København: The Danish rum. Lund: Grahns Tryckeri AB.
Architectural Press., Lieberg, M. (1995). 49. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using
Teenagers and Public Space. Communication public space. 6. ed. København: The Danish
Research. December. Vol 22, no.6. Architectural Press., Lieberg, M. (1995).
36. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety Teenagers and Public Space. Communication
through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN- Research. December. Vol 22, no.6.
HABITAT. 50-52. UN-HABITAT. (Unpublished 2011). Streets
37. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho as Pillars of Urban Transformation: A UN-
socio-economic survey report. Prepared by HABITAT approach to Participatory Street-
Participatory Training Promotions Institute. led Citywide Slum Upgrading. UN-HABITAT:
38. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety Working Paper 1. Nairobi, August 2011
through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN- 53-55 Kago, J.”Re: Questions about Korogocho
HABITAT. street upgrading”. Personal e-mail dated 22
39. Eberhard, D. (2006). I May 2012.
trygghetsnarkomanernas land. Stockholm: 56. Kenya-Italy Debt for Development
Prisma förlag., UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Programme (2008) Korogocho Slum
Urban Safety through Slum upgrading. Upgrading Programme, Government of
Nairobi: UN-HABITAT. Kenya, Nairobi.
40. Brown, A. (2006). Contested Space. Street 57-62 Kago, J.”Re: Questions about
trading, public space, and livelihoods in Korogocho street upgrading”. Personal
developing cities. Rugby: ITDG Publishing, e-mail dated 22 May 2012.
Cardiff University. 63. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho
41. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety socio-economic survey report. Prepared by
through Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN- Participatory Training Promotions Institute.
HABITAT. 64-65. Kago, J.”Re: Questions about Korogocho
42. Brown, A. (2006). Contested Space. Street street upgrading”. Personal e-mail dated 22
trading, public space, and livelihoods in May 2012.
developing cities. Rugby: ITDG Publishing, 66. Njeru Munyi. Co-founder. Koch FM,
Cardiff University. Korogocho, Nairobi [Interview], 2012-03-13
43. Hansen, K.T. & Vaa, M. (2004). 67. Kago, J.”Re: Questions about Korogocho
RECONSIDERING INFORMALITY. Perspectives street upgrading”. Personal e-mail dated 22
from Urban Africa. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. May 2012.
Spain: Grafilur Artes Gráficas.
44. Brown, A. (2006). Contested Space. Street
trading, public space, and livelihoods in
developing cities. Rugby: ITDG Publishing,
Cardiff University.
45. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city:
Urbanity, vitality and urban design.
London: Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 3,
No.1, 1998., Gehl, J. (2006). Life between
buildings: using public space. 6. ed.
København: The Danish Architectural Press.,
Lieberg, M. (1995). Teenagers and Public
Space. Communication Research. December.
Vol 22, no.6.
050

Korogocho is community. It is smiling faces, people coming together in fight-

ing hardships. Korogocho is poverty, crime and fear. Korogocho is becoming
pregnant too early, alcoholism and mistrust. Korogocho is not giving up. It is
dreaming, love and children playing. It is driving your motorcycle really fast
and feeling the wind in your hair. Korogocho is creativity. Korogocho is fun!
It is rollerskating down the streets, dancing and music. Korogocho is three
paved streets. The following chapter is about the impact these streets have on
everything that is Korogocho.

04:FIELD
FINDING S
 051

STUDY
052

Area: 0.89 SqKm

Population: 42 000
Nairobi North, Kasarani District

Thika road

Outer ring road

10 km
2h 30 min 18 min Kangundo road
Ngong road Korogocho

City centre

Airport south road

Mombasa road

Grogan B

Gitathuru
Grogan A

Highridge

Korogocho B

Korogocho A

Kisumu
Ndogo

Nyayo

Total length of streets: 3.64 km

The eight villages of Korogocho Street area (including reserve): 45 800 m
 053

OTHER 12.4%
FOOD 51.6%
RENT 7.6%

Korogocho
SANITATION 7.5%
HEALTH 7.4%
WATER 4.7%
Source: Korogocho Socio-Economic survey 2010

LUO 19%

LUHYA 10%

KAMBA 9%
KIKUYU 51% BORANA 9%
Korogocho is situated on a ridge between Nairobi
GARRE 3%
river, resulting in an articulated topography uncom-
OTHER 5% mon for an informal settlement.

Source: Korogocho Socio-Economic survey 2010

average monthly income

Source: Korogocho Socio-Economic survey 2010
KES 5800

The Nairobi slums make up

over 50% of the population
and yet occupy only 5% of the
total residential land, giving
them just 1% of the total land
area. This results in very differ-
ent population densities.

Korogocho 47 895 people/km2

10 600 m2 erased structures Kileleshwa 3 210 people/km2
(=1766 households of 6 m2) Muthaiga 576 people/km2
054

1970 Government policy “to

clean” Nariobi from slums.
Highridge Westlands Highridge Korogocho
1971. First residents settles in Area: 3740 000 m2 Area: 121 700 m2
Korogocho after evictions. 5
0 10 Kilometers

1977. Resettling in Highridge

after evictions, new residents
given a plot.
In Korogocho, most houses are made of mud
Main power lines installed. and timber walls with waste tin cans as roof-
ing materials. Houses are built in rows with an
average of six dwelling units (rooms) per struc-
ture. Korogocho is one of the most congested
slum areas in Nairobi with over 250 dwelling
units per hectare.

1980 1982. Coup d’etat occurred. Korogocho main problems

1984. Private land eviction,
1. Insecurity
displaced resettled in Kisumu 2. Poor health facilities
Ndogo.
3. Unemployment
Korogocho Primary School, 4. Inadequate water
Ngunyumu Primary School, Source: Korogocho Socio-Economic survey 2010
Daniel Comboni School built.

Soko Mjinga market starts.

Village Road and paths

established.

1987. City Council initiates

expansion of roads and routes.
Electricity installed. Those
dispalced resettled in Nyayo.

1990 Drainage system constructed.

Saba saba riots in Nairobi.

Chief camp established.

Police station established.

Commercial
Educational
Residential
Public purpose
2000 2001. Glory primary and (churches,mosques, community house etc
secondary school constructed.

2007. Post-election violenc.

 055

Ruaraka Ngomongo
Village
Dandora
Phase IV

Dandora
Dumping
Site
KOROGOCHO
Kariobangi Dandora
North Estate Phase III

Dandora
Phase II

Hurama
Estate Dandora
Phase I

Sewer
Treatment
Plan
Civil Servants Estate

Kariobangi
South Estate
MOI Forces Academy

Korogocho slum with its surrounding areas.

Ngomongo
Village

Baba Dogo Dandora Dumping

Industrial Area Site
Mowlem Power
Station
Kariobangi
Mathare Slum North
ew
w
NGG sewage

Kariobangi
South
M iF
Korogocho is situated North-East from the City Center of Nairobi. It is located on a ridge between two riv-
ers. It borders the Kariobangi sewage treatment works in West and the Ruraka industrial area in the East.
Next to it lies Nairobi’s largest dumping site, Dandora.
056

2007 Program initiated.

Initial discussion with key stake-
holders. Community Lane

Kamunde
Road

Mama Ngendo
2008 Jun: Listening Survey report.
Road
Aug: Election of the Residents
Committee, registration as a
self-help group.

Leadership training with

residents committee. Market Road
The streets of Korogocho were given names by the
community as part of the upgrading process.
2009 Second discussion with key
stakeholders, initiated by UN KAMUNDE ROAD
Habitat, agreement signed.
This street runs through Korogocho and is
Mapping of area boundaries. the main access road to the area. It is the most
trafficked street and carries the majority of the
Socio-Economic Survey. motorcycle drivers. Main attraction points
Sep: Road contract handed over.
along the street are the big playfield next to
Daniel Comboni School, called Korogocho
Stadium by the residents, as well as several
2010 May: Preliminary findings from churches and mosques. It ends at Ngunyumu
Socio-Economic Survey Primary School, before connecting Korogocho
presented. to Ngomongo and Dandora Phase IV.
Sep: Enumeration validated. MARKET ROAD
Dec: Conference with major This street is a thriving business street, starting
stakeholders, renewed donor in the big market that serves all of Korogocho
support. and surrounding areas. It hosts the majority of
the business in the area.

2011 Recieved donor money MAMA NGENDO ROAD

Consultants hired and area & COMMUNITY LANE
planning started, community
meetings and workshops.
These two streets are the less used of the new
streets. Community Lane cut through the area
Mar: Good school Good Neighbor- and connect Grogan with the rest of Korogo-
hood participatory exercises. cho. The last part of it, passing the community
centre, is not yet paved. Mama Ngendo Road
Community field visits.
is leading to the river where a new bridge is
planned to connect the area to Dandora estate
Phase I.
2012 May: Plans on display in
community for 60 days.
 057

FORM
ACTIVITIES Material
Spatial typologies
Flow of people
Spatial relationships
Flow of capital
Equipment
Traffic
Connectivity
Waste managemen nt
Entrances/exits
Illegal activities
Topography
Organizations
Services
Business
CONCEPTION
Memory
Information
Appropriation
Safety & security
Social relations
Sense of belongin
ging
Vision

04.1 FORM PURPOSE

Activity and conception interrelate t
Identify different typologies in the area
with form to generate sense of place. t
Identify and illustrate different
A city’s form can be designed to designs of the streets such as differ-
stimulate activity, a positive concep- ences in width length, edge zone and
tion and therefore a strong sense of pavements
place: the form describes the physical t
Identify and characterize different
shape it takes to support the activities materials associated with the different
it desires.1 sections of streets: floors, walls and
This was the first stage of the study vegetation
and was mainly based on observa- t
Map the connectivity within the area
tions and theory.
058
 059

SPATIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
AND TYPOLOGIES

Korogocho
Grogan A
FINDINGS
The figure-ground diagram gives an indication
of how the streets function in relation to their
surroundings, and opens up the discussion on
socially acceptable amounts, distributions and
sizes of open space. The figure ground diagram Grogan B
gives a clear image of the open space and the built
form and how it relates to each other. Different
typologies can be identified, as presented in the
small thumbnail images of the different villages.
Scale is a combination of the ratio of building
height to street width, relative distance, perme-
ability and the sense of grandeur or intimacy of Gitathuru
space. The spatial relationships between open
space, the space without built structures and built
form is related to the activities that can take place
in the space. When combined with analysis of
business and flow, this can indicate different ways
in which the residents have reclaimed the different Highridge
streets. Consequently, this is suggesting successful
and less successful forms and designs.

Grogan B 20% Korogocho B

(35%)
Gitathuru 36%
(47%)
Grogan A 27%
(52%)
Highridge 15%
(55%) Korogocho A
Korogocho B 11%
(61%)
Korogocho A 26%
(46%)
Kisumu Ndogo 11%
(42%)
Kisumu Ndogo
Nyayo 30%
(43%)

The diagram shows the increase in open space due to

the street installation. The number in brackets shows
every village’s total percentage of open space.
Nyayo
060

SIX MAIN CHARACTERS

“WIDE STREET/VIEWPORTS/OVERVIEWS”
Overview, one or both sides. High connectivity. Sometimes visual vegetation. Good
orientation to the surrounding. Wide and accessible edge zone.

permanent business
5 parked piki pikis
car
transport wagon mango
for sale
portable business

dissolving edge
22 people coconuts for sale

“DEFINED STREET”
Every thing in its place. Pavement. Drainage. Clean. No portable buissnes on the
street some in the edge zone. Low activity and varitation in the edge zone. Residential
often upgraded structures, various materials, permanent services and business.

two storey building painted

facade
various materials

painted closed facade

defined
edge
sharp edge no activity

10 people

“WIDE STREET/VIEWPORTS/OVERVIEWS”
Overview, one or both sides. High connectivity. Sometimes visual vegetation. Good
orientation to the surrounding. Wide and accessible edge zone.

vegetation landmark

group of children

accessible edge zone portable 19 people

business 6 sitting
 061

People are sensitive to the spatial properties of photography. The experience and the level of
the environment. The way space is organized activity in the place, as well as physical attrib-
provides information about what one might be utes such as difference in edge zone, width and
able to do in that space2. Six main characters pavement have been defining elements in this

Korogocho
have been defined through observation and investigation.

11% PAVEMENT

41,5% EDGE ZONE

44% STREET

3,5% DRAINAGE
13,5 m
1,5 m
0,5 m

0,5 m
6m

5m

56% EDGE ZONE

8% PAVEMENT
3% DRAINAGE

33% STREET

18 m
2,5 m

0,5 m

7,5 m
1,5 m
6m

8% PAVEMENT
56% EDGE ZONE

33% STREET
3% DRAINAGE

18 m
5,4 m

0,5 m

2,5 m

1,5 m
6m

3m
062

“INACCESSIBLE/NARROW STREET”
No view to the sides. Inaccessible edge zone with high level of waste. High activity/
speed on the street. Low connectivity. Enclosed facades towards the street. Pavement.
Drainage. Structures various materials.

corrugated steel walls closed stone

business facades
two floor building car

no access edge zone waste and dust

waste and dust 2 bikes
11 people

“STREET CORNER”
Open wide space. Overview and orientation. High level of various activities. Both
permanent and portable business.

electricity poles
two floor buildings
permanent business overview
car
portable business portable business
piki piki
piki piki

19 people

“BACKSIDE STREET”
Residential/private feeling. Low activity. Low connectivity. Enclosed facades towards
the street. Often low standard structures.

walls corrugated steel

residental structures
one opening in facade 30 m

waste and dust

waste and dust 4 people
063

Korogocho
0,5 m 0,5m
4,5 m
13% PAVEMENT 0,5m
1,5 m 25% EDGE ZONE
1m
60% STREET
50% STREET 6m 6m
30% EDGE ZONE 1m
1,5 m
10% DRAINAGE 0,5m
12m
4% DRAINAGE 0,5m
0,5 m

10 m
66% STREET
33% EDGE ZONE
1,5 m

12 m
8% PAVEMENT 1,5 m

18 m
 064 path one connection
064 path two connections
path 3-4 connections
path 5 connections
path 10 connections
path 20 connections
path 30 connections
path 40 connections
path 50 connections
path 100 connections

CONNECTIVITY
The connectivity map identifies if some areas
of the community are less integrated and
shows hierarchies between streets. Short streets
leading to culs-de-sac indicate exclusion. This
is the case in both Grogan A and B, as well
as in Gitathuru. On the other hand, continu-
ous and narrow streets function as successful
escape routes for criminals. This is the real-
ity in Highridge, with long streets leading to
criminal hideouts along the river.
The areas that have fewer connections also
present a faster transition from public to
private, whereas the areas with a more articu-
lated hierarchy between the streets have a soft
transition. This results in a heterogeneous
urban fabric that allows for nuanced transi-
tions of semi-private and semi-public places3.
 065

MATERIAL
FLOORS survey. However, Korogocho A had a slightly
Paving the dusty and muddy streets of Koro- different result where 80 per cent of the partic-
gocho was, apart from an infrastructural ipants experienced more waste on the streets.
upgrading intervention, a symbolic gesture One reason for this could be the high amount
that made the area part of the city’s continu- of new vendors in the area and the concentra-
ous urban floor. However, many residents tion of activities.
interviewed have expressed a disappointment WALLS
in the quality of the construction, and even
fear that the streets will rapidly degrade. Many of the walls along the upgraded streets
Using a low-cost approach may commu- have fresh paint. It is unclear whether this is
nicate a lack of care from the outside and the effect of an increased care of one’s struc-
strengthen the community’s negative percep- ture or the effect of many houses being partly
tions of upgrading interventions, which or fully demolished and hence repaired. The
might result in less attachment and identifi- majority of the structures are one-storey high
cation with the streets.4 If the streets are not and the most common materials on the walls
perceived as community property this might are corrugated iron, mud, or (sometimes)
result in less care and even generate vandalism. brick stonewalls.
The layout principle of the streets is pave- More permanent material could signal
ment on one side and drainage on the other. continuity and diligence for the future. It is
However, the pavement changes from side to said that a community feeling that contains
side irregularly and limits a continuous flow of confidence makes people want to stay in the
pedestrians. Pavements are important features neighbourhood and improve it.7 The places
in an urban setting and should be wide enough where we are most attached are fields of care,
to accommodate commerce but not too wide locations where we have had various experi-
as to make the street itself over spaced.5 ences results in feelings of affections and
The paving has reduced dust and mud on response. We have an eagerness to preserve
the streets even though some residents are them and let the memories they possess stay
dissatisfied with stagnant water on the streets there.8
and in the poorly constructed drainage during As the majority of the inhabitants in
rainy seasons. It is apparent that the ground Korogocho do not own their homes,
texture should be smooth to enable envisaging the strengthening of attachment to their
of how one could function in a setting.6 neighbourhood is important in order to
The total amount of waste has decreased in create sustainable and community driven
most villages according to the questionnaire improvements.9
066

How the facades in the area relate to the streets poor quality. There is a fear that it will rapidly
varies. This greatly affects the character of the degrade. Poor maintenance and manage-
streets. As human beings naturally prefer a ment results in the drainage being congested
certain amount of complexity and surprise in and limits the flow of water. As the residents
the surrounding, monotone facades with no expect the government to manage the drain-
gaps for connecting paths might be perceived age, having it be congested by waste is seen as
as negative. Wide, open undefined landscapes a betrayal from the formal city.
and dense impenetrable structures both lack As there is a very low amount of urban
point of reference. Suggestions of paths and furniture in the area, people often use second-
transparency raise accessibility and orientation ary sitting spaces along the streets or sit on
to the surrounding.10 the ground on spots with climate protection,
mainly from the sun. It is also common for
EQUIPMENT residents to appropriate the public space with
New streetlights have been included in the private furniture.13
upgrading. This is widely mentioned in the
questionnaires and among the people inter- VEGETATION
viewed as a major crime-reducing factor. From elevated locations the surrounding vege-
Streetlights are important both for the tation is very much present in the experience
perceived safety and the actual level of illegal of Korogocho. In the dense slum setting, vege-
activities. For women, the lack of lights in the tation can function as landmarks and a link to
public realm means that they are more likely the surrounding areas.
to be sexually assaulted at night.11 Several studies show that visual and physi-
In Kibera, where high streetlights have been cal contact with vegetation has positive effects
implemented, there have been positive social on human conditions and microclimates in
and economic impacts with ability of trad- the urban environment. Cooler temperatures,
ers to keep their businesses open late and a dust and pollution reduction are examples
decrease of mugging and rapes. However, it is of environmental beneficiaries. Trees have
important to remember that sufficient light- a placemaking quality and often function as
ing does not eliminate the actual reason for social gathering points.14
insecurity.12 Vegetation also has positive effects on the
The upgrading in Korogocho also consti- environment in a larger scale for the rapid
tuted of improved drainage, although this growth of slums has led to lack of appropriate
has been criticized by residents for being of land-use planning and measures for sustaina-
ble development. As a result, slums in Nairobi
have replaced a large amount of natural and
agricultural vegetation. These changes are
affecting habitat quality and have prompted
concerns of environment and ecological health
degradation in the city.15
067
068

FORM – KEY MESSAGES

The form of the streets is interrelated had a vast impact on the sense of safety
with activity and conception and gener- in the area and created possibilities for
ates a sense of place. A city’s form can be the appropriation of urban space during
designed to stimulate activity, a positive wider hours of the day. The vegetation
conception and therefore a strong sense has an important function in Korogocho
of place: the form describes the physical as landmarks and shade.
shape it takes to support the activities it
desires. t
The streets vary in character, mate-
The upgraded streets in Korogo- rial and spatial organization
cho vary in form and appearance and t
The form of the streets highly affects
six main characters have been found the use
throughout this chapter. Aspects of form t
There is less mud and dust on the
that have been investigated are: spatial streets, which facilitates movement
relationships and typologies, characteri- and improves quality of life for resi-
zation, connectivity, floors, walls, equip- dents
ment and vegetation. t
Streetlights are an important factor
The paving of the streets has created a for actual and perceived safety
continuous urban floor connecting Koro- t
Some residents are dissatisfied with
gocho with the wider city and facilitating the management, quality and con-
movement and activity in the area. The struction of the streets and drainage
walls that are mainly constituted of fa- t
The total amount of waste has de-
cades of permanent or temporary struc- creased due to facilitated collection.
tures can inform the amount of care and t
People often use places with protec-
improvement the residents put into their tion from the sun to conduct option-
environment. The equipment in appear- al activities in the streets
ance of implemented streetlights has
 069

FORM
ACTIVITIES Material
Spatial typologies
Flow of people
Spatial relationships
Flow of capital
Equipment
Traffic
Connectivity
Waste management
Entrances/exits
Illegal activities
Top
Topography
Organizations
Services
Business
CONCEPTION
Memory
Information
Appropriation
Safety & security
Social relations
Sense of belongin
ging
Vision

04.2 ACTIVITIES
The activities associated with a place
build upon diversity and vitality.
Diversity suggests mixtures of uses
and activities, complex variety, and
an economic diversity. Vitality of a
place refers to the number of people
in and around the street across differ-
ent times of the day and night as well
as the uptake of cultural events, facili-
ties and celebrations over the year:
the presence of an active street life.16
070

ATTRACTION POINTS
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- What and where are the important attraction points?
- What streets carry the highest amount of attraction points?
METHOD

FIELD DATA COLLECTION:

By walking along the streets, and interacting with the residents, an understanding of
important functions can be noted and key sites for public interactions studied
MAP STUDIES:
Digital and physical maps complement field data findings and informs about attraction points

Activity often generates more activity.17 are highly dependent on the physical struc-
Important attraction points for optional social ture of the public space. Social activities are
activities in the public space along the streets dependent on interaction with other people in
in Korogocho have been mapped as they are the public space; children playing with other
indicators of the quality and character of the children, saying hello, having a chat, group
public space. activities, seeing and hearing other people.
Outdoor activities can be divided into three The social and optional activities often share
categories: necessary activities, optional activi- space. Where there are social activities there
ties and social activities. Necessary activities are often also optional activities.18
involve going to work and school, buying
food, waiting for the bus: everyday activities SUMMARY
that are not so dependent on the physical t
Kamunde Road and Market Road carry
structure (mainly walking activities). Optional the majority of attraction points
activities are those carried out voluntarily if t
The market is an important attraction point
the space enables it: strolling, pausing, sitting t
The entrances provide several important
in the shade, drinking a soda; these activities functions and activities
 071

Korogocho
Benches, shade Boda
hangout,sitting,
Ngunyumu School and yard standing in the
shade
Dandorra recycling market St:Johns Primary
school

Sitting spot shady vegetation

Kiosk hangout
Sitting spot good overwiev

Boda hangout,sitting, Chiefs camp

standing in the shade

1,7 km 400 m Boda hangout,

Daniel
5 min Comboni food stands, sitting,
standing in the shade
Open field soccer field

Sitting standing in the shade

Kiosk hangout

Sitting standing in the shade

Kiosk hangout

The Market

Mapped attraction points along the streets.

072

ACTIVITY MAPPING
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED

- Have the services/functions of the surrounding buildings changed due to the street
installation?
- What are the activities on the street and edge zone? Have the activities changed?
Has the street acted as a catalyst and facilitated new activities? Do the activities
change during the day?
- Have illegal activities decreased or increased?

METHOD

FIELD DATA COLLECTION:

By choosing seven key sites along the streets, noting ongoing activities, conclusions of
activity levels and types were investigated through observations, documentation and
dialogue. The investigations were conducted at three different times: morning, midday
and evening to indicate whether the activities changed during the day. By walking along
the streets taking photos and observing activities, important sites and types were found.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
The questionnaire survey studies the perceived changes in amount and type of activi-
ties since the streets were improved. It revealed if new activities have been generated
through the upgrading project and what functions have been created.

“Spaces such as streets, street corners and empty space. By choosing key sites along the streets,
lots provide a stage for economic, social and noting ongoing activities at different times of
political activities – public spaces in this sense the day, conclusions of activity levels and types
are social spaces” (Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, can be understood. As activity often brings
D. (2008). The people’s property? Power, politics, more activity19 it can be assumed that some
and the public. Oxon: Routledge.) places have the possibility to become positive
economic and social nodes in the community.
To understand streets and street corners as a The questionnaires support the observations
stage for economic, social and political activi- and highlight the perceived changes in activity
ties the mapping of activities on the streets nodes and type and amount of activity.
is essential to grasp their meaning as public The mapping of activity levels led to the
conclusion that the level and variety of
activity was often high in street corners. To
investigate this phenomenon further, a more
in-depth study of street corners was done
noting street vending, business structures and
leisure activities. Type and amount of activi-
ties varied within the different street corners
chosen. The northwest entrance had a high
amount of different activities; both temporal
and permanent market vending structures,
selling a variation of goods. As the Korogocho
playground is situated nearby, different sport
activities are practiced during the day.
 073

ADOPT A
LIGHT

BIO GAS STATION ER

T
WA U

Korogocho
UM
U NY Y
R
NG IMA L
PR HOO
SC

N DS
S TA
I NG
CL
CY
RE
LIC
HO
C AT OOL
HN SCH
: JO RY
ST IMA
PR

CATH ST: J
OLIC OHN
CHUR
CH

ENT
EM
PAV
ENT
EM
PAV

HO
OC D
R OG OUN
KO YGR
E
AT

PLA
BO EET
M
W

DA IN
BO PL
G
DA AC
E

ST DANIEL COMBONI MDOZAS

PRIMARY SCHOOL

HO
TE
LS
TEMPORARY
MARKET
STANDS
WATER
074

FINDINGS
Hangouts, spaces where residents congregate The highest amount of new activities are
and spend time, were found along the streets, said to be found in Korogocho A where 92 per
especially along Market Road and Kamunde cent of the questionnaire participants noticed
Road. Street vending was found everywhere an increase. Korogocho A is situated along
and the permanent structures have in many Market Road, which many of the participants
places expanded onto the edge zones. Most mentioned as important because of the selling
of the temporary vending was found on the of goods and prosperous business. Here are
informal entrance on Market Road where the also characteristics such as open street space,
empty ground in the west is used for vend- wide edge zones with good views, connecting
ing during day and evening. The water facility streets and transparency, motorcycle hangouts
nearby is another attraction point that also and some portable businesses in street corners.
provides shadow and generates activities on The illegal activities in Korogocho seem to
site. Several new hotels and businesses have have decreased in Nyayo. The majority (94
been put up close to the crossing and act as per cent), of the questionnaire participants in
supplements for the businesses that were Nyayo say that the illegal activities have been
demolished during the upgrading process. reduced. In Korogocho B and Kisumu Ndogo
On Market Road, intersection activities on the other hand, the majority noticed an
such as Mandazi selling and electricity shops increase in illegal activities. They mention
were found. These places are also hangouts the selling of fake phones and second-hand
for the motorcycle business even though the equipment, local brews, drug trafficking and
activities are fewer than in the northern sites. bhang as examples of these activities. It could
On Kamunde Road, the majority of the be debated whether the increase depends on
activities were found in the northern parts. the street upgrading or if it is an argument for
The two crossings have permanent business saying that the illegal activities still exist.
structures and several people spend time Grogan B was mentioned among many of
sitting around the crossings. Where Kamunde the participants as an area with an increase of
Road and Dandora Entrance meet, connect- illegal activities, but what is interesting is that
ing Korogocho to Dandora dumping site, a the majority of the people living in Grogan B
lot of vendors and customers operate and sell - 52 per cent - had not noticed any change.
recycled material on the edge zone. Other This might be a reason to assume that Grogan
activities observed are children playing on the B is perceived as more insecure outside of the
schoolyard opposite the crossing and a few village than inside.
businesses selling fruit. Grogan - Ngomongo
Entrance has very few temporary vending
structures but the water facility and the biogas
station works as attraction points and makes
people reside in the crossing.
Most of the participants in the questionnaire
survey (69 per cent) said that new activities
have been created on the streets since they were
constructed. Only in Highridge did the survey
indicate less activity. In general, these activi-
ties consist of an increasing amount of people
moving on the streets, motorcycles, small busi-
nesses, vending, and cleaning. Roller skating is
also mentioned from participants in Nyayo.
 075

High level of activity

The security has become better, more
people are moving on the streets and Medium level of acitivty
sightlines have created security. Now I can Low level of acitivty
see who is coming from a distance and the

Korogocho
hideouts for criminals are almost gone. The
improvement of sight makes my area safe, I
can see around the corners and now I can
even be out until 10 at night!
Enemi, vegetable vendor

Nyayo
Kisumu Ndogo
Korogocho B
Korogocho A
Highridge
Githaturu
Grogan B
Grogan A
More illegal activities Less illegal activities No change

SUMMARY
t
New services like motorcycle transpor- t
Many businesses have extended their
tation have been generated through the space by appropriating the edge zones
upgrading project. Near the Market with temporary structures
Road’s informal entrance, new business t
There are more vendors operating on the
structures have been built to accommo- streets since the street upgrading and the
date some of the business owners that had streets have facilitated business activities
to be relocated for the street upgrading t
The activities operating are quite the same
project. during the course of the day
t
The activities that can be found along the t
Overall, illegal activities seem to be a
streets and edge zones are businesses such continuing problem in Korogocho
as food vending, selling of goods, hotels
and motorcycle transportation
076

STREET FLOW
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Has the flow of people changed?
- Who uses the street? Are certain groups underrepresented? Is there a change in use
and movement according to time of day? Is it easier to use the street now? Where is the
highest density of people?
- What are the activities on the street and edge zone? Has the activities changed? Has
the street acted as a catalyst and facilitated new activities? Are the activities changing
during the day?
- Has the illegal activities decreased or increased?

METHOD

FLOW SURVEY:
The flow survey quantifies movements, including both motorized and non-motorized
vehicle traffic plus pedestrians. Data from the flow survey describes peak traffic vol-
umes and accessibility. It complements the analysis of the streets in favor of pedes-
trian security and tells in what extent the public transport is implemented and where.
The flow survey takes into consideration the gender perspective in order to under-
stand hierarchies and functions, and studies for what purpose the different streets
are used. During the survey people and vehicles were counted at selected key-sites
on three different times of the day, five minutes at a time. While doing so gender,
age group and constellation are studied. The calculation of vehicles noted type of
vehicle and gender of the driver.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
The questionnaire survey investigated the perceived changes in traffic and pedestrian
flow that is brought by the upgrading project, changes such as amount of traffic,
new functions and purpose of use. The survey led to the discussion with the residents
of how traffic could be organized differently.
SCHOOL WORKSHOP:
In the school workshop, children from Ngunyumu Primary School were asked to
point out sites and indicators causing insecurity on their way to school. They pointed
out where risks for traffic accidents are high.

The flow of pedestrians and vehicles within Observations are usually supplemented by
Korogocho has been investigated through measuring and counting, which offers addi-
different methods to give an idea of how tional guides of how streets are used and
the different functions of the streetscape designed.20 The flow survey revealed which
are organized. It is said that by looking and groups that use the streets and how the flows
observing in an initial phase will give a first and density of traffic are divided in the area.
understanding of an area. It gives awareness It informed about the expansion or improve-
and opens up for questions and discussions. ment of pedestrian facilities.
 077

Korogocho
Community Lane
Ngomongo Entrance

Kamunde Rd Dandora
Entrance
amount of men/women

Kamunde Rd Baridi
Lane
Kamunde Rd
Community Lane

Kariobangi
amount of vehicles and pedestrians

Market Rd
Entrance
crossing

TOTAL AMOUNT OF FLOW IN

THE SURVEY

Matatu 2 (0,1%)
Car 23 (1%)
Motorcycle 361 (22%)
Bike 95 (5,4%)
People 1995 (71%)
Market Rd
Informal Entrance Child 427 (21%)
Youth 462 (22%)
Adult 998 (43%)
Elderly 108 (5%)

Woman-group 114 (8%)

Man-group 108 (7%)
Mixed 56 (3%)
Name of intersections for Flow Survey. Singe 1179 (70%)
Other 6 (0,4%)
078

KAMUNDE ROAD / BARIDI

LANE
Medium traffic flow. Matatus
were not very common but did
at times pass the crossing when
searching for passengers. Most
pedestrians passed during day
time and were mostly adults,
even though several youths
MORNING MIDDAY EVENING
and children did pass as well.
Concentration of flow depending on time of the day.
The majority of the pedestri-
KAMUNDE ROAD / ans were walking alone and
COMMUNITY LANE we found the highest amount
during mid-day. The flow was
The second most numerous
12% of the total.
flows of people and vehicles.
Pedestrians increased during
mid-day and evening whereas
the amount of motorcycles was
greatest in the morning. Chil- Matatu 0 0 0
dren, youths and adults were Car 2 1 1
higher than average and many MC 35 24 24
elderly were passing during Bike 6 3 6
evening. The flow was 17% of People 87 90 143
the total.
Child 10 15 43
Youth 27 38 30
Adult 47 35 55
Matatu 0 0 0 Elderly 3 2 15
Car 2 1 1
MC 35 24 24 W-group 4 7 5
Bike 6 3 6 M-group 2 5 4
People 87 90 143
 Mixed
Single
0
67
3
43
9
82
Child 10 15 43
Youth 27 38 30
 Other 0 0 0

Adult 47 35 55
Elderly 3 2 15

W-group4 7 5
M-group2 5 4
Mixed 0 3 9 
Single 67 43 82
Other 0 0 0

 079

COMMUNITY LANE / 

NGOMONGO ENTRANCE
 
The crossing with least amount

Korogocho
of flow in Korogocho. It
accounted for only 6% of the
total flow and the majority
of people and vehicles were
coming or going from or to
the crossing “Kamunde Road
/ Dandora Entrance”. This
crossing had the largest amount
of pedestrians in com parison
to the total flow and most of
them were walking alone. The
crossing is located next to a
water point which appeared KAMUNDE ROAD /
to function as an attraction DANDORA ENTRANCE
point for many of the people Situated in southeast of Koro-
passing by. It also had the gocho and is located by the
largest amount of men, even two most important schools;
though 39% of the people were Ngunyumu Primary School
women. Cars, matatus and and St John’s Catholic Primary
bicycles were absent during the School. Many children passed,
study and there were only a few especially in the morning and
motorcycles. the evening. As it is an exit
and leads to Moi International
Sports Centre and the Lucky
Matatu 0 0 0 Summer village. The total
Car 0 0 0 flow was 13% of the total in
MC 9 3 4 Korogocho.
Bike 0 0 0
People 57 3 40

Child 8 5 7 Matatu 0 0 0
Youth 9 12 11 Car 2 0 2
Adult 39 27 21 MC 15 18 13

Elderly 1 1 1 Bike 4 3 0 
People 91 21 89
W-group 3 4 3
M-group 3 5 4 Child 14 4 45
Mixed 0 0 0 Youth 16 13 20
Single 45 21 16 Adult 59 41 23
Other 0 0 0 Elderly 2 1 1

W-group 3 8 9
M-group 8 1 11
Mixed 5 1 2
Single 39 46 37
Other 1 0 0
080


KARIOBANGI ENTRANCE
The most active location in
Korogocho as 27% of the total
flow was found here. Both

pedestrians and motorcycles
were numerous but increased
during morning and evening
MARKET ROAD INFORMAL
A
hours. The largest varieties of ENTRANCE
vehicles were found here; cars,
matatus, motorcycles and bicy- An unpaved street leading ad ng
cles were spotted. The entrance down to Market Road. oa ItI was
w
connects to Kariobangi where found that it functioned
nct ne as a an
the matatus to downtown informal entrance
anc tto K Korogo-
Nairobi depart. The amount of cho from Kariobangi
Kari bangi aand many
people at the location increased people used it aas a shortcut.
sh The
in morning and evening and new-built
bui t hhotels,
otel businesses,
the majority were adults. It and
nd water
wat r facility
wa fa functioned
could thereby be assumed that as att
attraction
ctio points. The major-
many of the people passing are ity of the flow was situated
it
working outside of Korogocho. along Market Road and the
alo
flow accounted for 13% of the
total flow in Korogocho. The
amounts of people increased
Matatu 0 0 1 during evening hours and were
Car 1 3 5 smallest in the morning. Many
MC 40 22 41
Bike 14 7 17
children passed by in the even-
People 194 86 244 ing whereas the number of
adults was stable during the day.
Child 17 5 59
Youth 32 34 46
Adult 136 37 116 Matatu 0 0 0
Elderly 9 10 23 Car 1 1 0
MC 9 5 4
W-group 4 1 1
17 Bike 4 3 8
M-group 7 4 166 People 68 84 129
Mixed 5 6 6
Single 154 59 54
154 Child 4 9 53
Ot
Other 0 1 0 Youth 5 23 23
Adult 54 46 48
Elderly 5 6 5

 W-group 1 5 13
M-group 4 5 6
Mixed 0 3 2

 Single 50 52 69
Other 3 1 0
 081

MARKET ROAD CROSSING

Connecting to the Dandora
dumping site in southeast
  through a new built bridge for

Korogocho
pedestrians. The bridge was
 used mainly by people working
at the dumping site and pedes-
trians were the most common
users. The crossing accounted
for 12% of the total flow and
the majority of the flow was
found along Market Road as
it was an important place for
many activities. Very few people
used the north part of Mama
Ngendo Road even though it
connects to Kamunde Road,
which had the highest amount
of flow in Korogocho.

Matatu 0 0 0
Car 1 0 2
MC 8 11 17
Bike 5 3 1
People 79 75 107

Child 8 12 50
Youth 22 23 17
Adult 39 35 37
Elderly 10 5 3

W-group 5 3 8
M-group 2 3 6
CONSTELLATION IN THE FLOW SURVEY

Mixed 1 2 2
DISTRIBUTION OF AGE GROUPS AND

Single 49 59 66
Other 0 0 0

Child Adult Youth Elderly

Single Woman-group Men-group Mixed-group Other
082

FINDINGS the area a lot. According to the flow survey,

The total amount of pedestrians and vehicles they accounted for 14 per cent of the total flow
calculated in the Flow Survey was 2480. within Korogocho. The questionnaire indi-
cated that this has created job opportunities
t
33 per cent of the total flow was found and helped with the transportation of goods
in morning and people within the area. Unfortunately, they
t
27 per cent of the total flow was found also appeared to generate negative changes. As
during midday. the pedestrians made up 81 per cent of the total
t
40 per cent of the total flow was found in flow (according to the flow survey) it was not
the evening. surprising that the amount of accidents has
increased with the arrival of more motor vehi-
The total amount of flow was similar during cles. Of the total amount of participants in the
the whole day, but the concentrations changed questionnaire survey, 69 per cent said that the
locations. During midday the amount of accidents have increased and the children were
people and vehicles were more spread out mentioned to be the most affected group. A
over the different streets while in the morning total of 70 per cent of the children were noted
and evening they were concentrated around during evening times around the northwest
the northwest entrance towards Kariobangi entrance to Kariobangi and on Market Road.
as many people were leaving or coming back The children who participated in the school
from work. The flow survey indicated that workshop also indicated the risk of traffic acci-
this street was used more in the evening and dents near Kariobangi.
residents proclaimed the importance of it as a Places where less women and children spend
generator for business and activities. time could lead to a discussion of places that
Although Market Road was mentioned as are perceived less safe but as the results show,
an important street for activities the flow of almost as many men as women were noticed
people and vehicles in Korogocho differed a lot in all crossings at all times of the day. However,
between the streets. Most frequently used was all vehicles were driven by men.
Kamunde Road, where the flow of both pedes- During the morning most of the pedestri-
trians and motorcycles were highest at all times ans moving in the area walked alone while in
of the day, while Community Lane and Mama the afternoon or evening, many were moving
Ngendo Road had the least amount of flow at in constellations of two or more people. Very
all times. The limited flow found in Grogan few elderly people were moving on the streets,
could be a result of the area’s reputation with only 5 per cent of the calculated people. The
high criminality or perhaps the lack of attrac- largest age group was adults, constituting 50
tion points. It could also be discussed whether per cent of the total amount of people, while
the street has facilitated or reduced the possibil- children and youths represented 44 per cent.
ity of operating and spending time on the street As pedestrians constitute most of the flow
as the activity within this area, which lacks within the area the streets should be available
pavement, was observed to be very limited. and accessible to them. Today, the pedestri-
According to the participants of the ques- ans share the space with fast-driven vehicles,
tionnaire survey the flow of vehicles has which raises the risk of accidents. It could be
changed since the streets were constructed. In presumed that accidents are more common in
every village, more than 70 per cent answered the northwest entrance as the amount of traffic
that the amount of traffic has increased due to was intensified in this area. Improvement of
better paved, and more accessible, streets. the hierarchies between pedestrians and vehi-
The increased amounts of motorcycles are the cles could help in decreasing traffic accidents.
most relevant change as they have influenced Pedestrian or Zebra crossings and more speed
 083

bumps were requested from the participants in increased since the streets were upgraded
the questionnaire survey and there were also t
Almost as many men as women were
suggestions to create more space for pedestri- moving on the streets
ans by constructing more pavements and even t
The flow was constant during all day but

Korogocho
widening the streets as there are many people the concentrations changed location
and vehicles sharing the space. t
Community Lane and Mama Ngendo
As most people were moving along Road had the lowest amount of flows
Kamunde Road, this street should not be t
Motorcycles were the most common vehi-
overlooked in terms of security for pedestri- cles and have increased since the streets
ans. The northwest entrance should also be were upgraded
examined as it is an important place in Koro- t
Many people were moving from or to
gocho. Many people moved here and to avoid Kariobangi, especially in the morning and
congestion and accidents it could be improved evening
in its design both as providing space for flows t
More people were moving on Market
but also in terms of its role as an entrance to Road in the evening
Korogocho.
t
The elderly were underrepresented in the
flow survey
SUMMARY t
Most people moved around alone espe-
t
33 per cent of the total flow was found in cially in the morning but as the day passed
morning, 27 per cent during midday and the amount of constellations with two or
40 per cent in the evening more people increased
t
The pedestrians constituted the major- t
Traffic accidents have increased and chil-
ity of the flow within Korogocho at all dren are a vulnerable group concerning
times of the day and are perceived to have traffic accidents

Mo Nyayo
re
acci Kisumu Ndogo
de
nts Korogocho B
Korogocho A
Highridge
Githaturu
Grogan B
Les Grogan A
sa
cci
de
nts

No
ch
an
ge

More traffic Less traffic No change

Qustionnaire outcome. Percieved change in amount of traffic and amount of accidents since the streets
were constructed.
084

CAPITAL FLOW
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Have new microeconomies been created? Informal or formal? Have they facilitated
existing business? Has the availability of goods changed? Have prices and competi-
tion between vendors changed? Is the market more established? Has the business
turned in to a more permanent structure?
- Have the house and land values changed? How is the value distributed in the area?
Has this affected the rents?
- Have new job opportunities been created and what type of jobs?
- Have the prices on goods changed?

METHOD

FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS:

The interviews were conducted with 26 business owners along the streets with both
permanent and temporary structures, asking questions about the changes that came
with the upgrading. Questions about change in supply indicated if improved access Felista, vege
to the area has affected the availability of goods.

QUESTIONNAIRES:
As a complement, the Questionnaire surveyed the perceived changes in business
activity and job opportunities. As the businesses within the area prior to the upgrad-
ing project was situated in connection to the streets it may have brought important Caro
changes. Different areas appear to experience different changes and it is of value to Ene
understand where the changes have taken place.

Local business supports the local economy.

Esther, vegetable vendor, 20
The businesses in Korogocho have experienced
changes since the streets were improved and Pamela, tailor, 1 yr
widened. Because of more activity, it can be Julie, Chemist, 1 yr
assumed that more microeconomics has been
created as the amount of vendors has increased.
The vending in Korogocho has changed
since the streets were improved. The streets Evel
have provided more space for the vendors but Mary,
as the businesses have increased in amount, Marg
the space is still small and the competition
Scale 1:8000 Flora, banking
high. Even though several business owners
had to move or limit the space, the majority
feel positively towards the improved streets.

Left: Map of interviewees in business survey and a summary of the semi-structured on-street interviews
during the business survey.
 085

More competition

Korogocho
More business

Less waste

Less mud

Less dust

Martha, vegetable vendor, 15 yrs

Joseph, hairdresser, 12 yrs Mama, Cow intestant vendor, 11 yrs Higher prices
Felista, kiosk
Robert Mboya, Victoria hotel, 16yrs
table vendor
No problems with implementation

Joyce, hotel
John, soup kitchen, 1yr Comfortable customers

Humphrey, tailor
Had to move back because of construction
Erick, tailor, 16 yrs
ol, vegetable vendor
emi, vegetable vendor
Had to move to another location
Henry, shoemaker
Mary, Peanut vendor, 4 yrs
Mutoko, Butcher, 17 yrs
Has business on the same spot
Kenmau, knife sharpener, move around
yrs
Problems with city council during implementation
Lazaraz, charcoal vendor, 5 yrs
Judith, hotel, new location, 13 yrs
Ross, charcoal vendor, 5 yrs Better security

Better transportation
lyn, fish vendor, 7 yrs
, tomato vendror
aret, sukuma wiki vendor, 7 yrs More people on the streets
agent, new

Traffic accidents have gone down

Traffic accidents have gone up

Less people on the streets

 086

Grogan A Grogan A
Grogan B Grogan B

streets?
Githaturu Githaturu
Highridge Highridge
Korogocho A Korogocho A
Korogocho B Korogocho B

More Vendors

More expensive
Kisumu Ndogo Kisumu Ndogo
Nyayo Nyayo

Grogan A Grogan A
Grogan B Grogan B
Githaturu Githaturu
Highridge Highridge
Korogocho A Korogocho A

Cheaper
Korogocho B Less Vendors Korogocho B
Kisumu Ndogo Kisumu Ndogo
Nyayo Nyayo

Grogan A Grogan A
Grogan B Grogan B
Githaturu Githaturu
Highridge Highridge
Korogocho A Korogocho A

No change
Korogocho B Korogocho B
No change

SELL

Kisumu Ndogo Kisumu Ndogo

SELL GOODS!
IT’S EASIER TO
Nyayo Nyayo
GOODS...
Questionnaire outcome. Has the construction of the streets changed the amount of vendors in Korogocho?

Questionnaire outcome. Has the streets made it easier/more difficult for vendors to sell their goods in the
IT’S MORE

NO CHANGE
DIFFICULT TO
 087

FINDINGS
In all villages except Korogocho B, an increased limit the living space behind the shop in order
amount of vendors have been noticed. The to save space for the actual business.
answers from the focus group interviews In Grogan A, the participants of the ques-

Korogocho
implied that there is more competition due tionnaire survey said that the vending had
to more business, which is also indicated by become more difficult because of competition,
the questionnaire survey. In Grogan B, for higher food prices, lack of security and that the
example, 59 per cent of the participants in police were requesting finance. Participants
the questionnaire survey said it has become from Gitathuru added that the selling of goods
more difficult to sell goods due to the greater was more difficult because of expensive rents.
amount of businesses and vendors that create According to the questionnaire survey
competition between them. Grogan B also Korogocho A, Korogocho B, Kisumu Ndogo
appears to suffer due to lack of security and and Nyayo, in comparison to Grogan A,
many people fear to visit the area. During the
interviews some as well mentioned the insecu- GOODS ARE CHEAPER
rity as a continuing problem, which results in
fewer customers. NO CHANGE

The displacement or demolition of busi-

nesses was brought up several times during the GOODS ARE MORE
EXPENSIVE
focus group interviews and in the questionnaire
survey. Most of them found the movement
difficult while others thought of it as an
improvement because of the positive changes
the upgraded streets generated. Many vendors
interviewed have moved their structures and Questionnaire outcome. Have you noticed a change
were now operating in smaller indoor space than in the prices of goods in Korogocho after the streets
before. Others chose to move their business or were constructed?
Kisumu Ndogo

Kisumu Ndogo

Kisumu Ndogo
Korogocho A

Korogocho A

Korogocho A
Korogocho B

Korogocho B

Korogocho B
Highridge

Highridge

Highridge
Grogan A

Grogan A

Grogan A
Githaturu

Githaturu

Githaturu
Grogan B

Grogan B

Grogan B
Nyayo

Nyayo

Nyayo

More Jobs Less jobs No change

Questionnaire outcome. Did you experience that the job opportunities in Korogocho changed after the
streets were constructed?
088

Grogan B and Gitathuru, stated that it was SUMMARY

easier to sell goods. Reasons mentioned by t
New microeconomic activities have been
both business owners and participants of the created, mostly informal, small busi-
questionnaire survey were that the streets are nesses, street vendors and motorcycle
accessible even when it rains, the transporta- transportation
tion of goods is much easier as the streets are t
There are more vendors and businesses in
widened and paved, there are more people on Korogocho
the street and that means more customers, the t
The competition is high which makes it
streets are more secure due to the new width more difficult to sell goods
and the streetlights which make it possible for t
There are more people moving on the
vendors to work at night. streets, which give more customers
The participants of the questionnaire survey t
More jobs have been created in all areas
mentioned that the transportation is less t
Goods have become more expensive (it
expensive and has improved the possibility of can be discussed whether this is a cause of
moving the goods. On the other hand they also the improved infrastructure or because of
mention that the prices of goods have gone up. changes in the national economy)
It has generated more job opportunities for t
The streets have facilitated transportation
people who work as porters. Several new types and availability of goods
of goods such as fish, different vegetables and t
The business found in Korogocho today
bread have been noticed, and the interviewees is not the same everywhere due to the
added that the visibility has increased. demolition of many businesses
The areas that experienced the easiest sell- t
Less mud and waste have facilitated the
ing of goods were concentrated around the operation for vendors
streets mentioned to have the highest amount t
Streetlights have improved the security
of activity and flows of people. Market Road and made it possible to operate businesses
captured the highest amount of new jobs and at night
is characterized as a “market/business street
with temporary businesses on the edge zone
and permanent business structures behind,
high activity and movement, wide edge zone
with high activity and with high complexity
and pavements” (see Characterization map in
Chapter 4). The vendors interviewed in this
area were mostly positive to the changes in
comparison to those in Grogan A and Grogan
B that complained about the limited amount
of customers, even though they experienced
Right: The names are made up to keep the

an increase in activity. From the questionnaire

survey participants want tarmac on edge zones
and less open drainage to provide more space
for business.
interviewees anonymous.
 089

The business is not very good because of 095

the high crime rate and in Grogan, but
there is not a lot of competition due to this.
The streets have been important for the
transportation within the area.
Felicita, vegetable vendor

Half the structure had to be

The authorities were arrogant taken down but overall it has been
to those who did not cooperate. successful, there is no more mud
Zara, vegetable vendor and waste management is good.
Karen, chemist

The streets are really

nice, there has been a
lot of new activities and
we are proud of the
streets!
Humphrey, tailor

We were the first bank in

I had to move back because
Korogocho and opened here
because of all the new busi- of the implementation and
ness that came with the streets. I fought the City Council to
Merriam, banking agent let me stay along the road.
Susan, market vendor

There is more business because of

better transportation, higher competi-
tion, and the goods have higher quality
and higher prices. The customers can
My business is thriving because of reach the market better. The place has
the size of the streets. The security become beautiful!
has been better because of the Evelyn, fish vendor
openness which also has affected
my business, people see me. The street makes the area visible so
Erick, tailor more people can see me, even from
a distance. The place has risen a bit.
Stephen, knife sharpener

I want to reduce the

speed of the motor-r- People have moved their vending
cycles, there are too from the market place to their homes
many accidents. because it is easier to have a tempo-
Mama, vendor rary structure along the streets.
Mary, tomato vendor
090

ACTIVITIES - KEY MESSAGES

This section reveals the high level and t
New services and microeconomics
various activities taking place in the like motorcycle transportation and
streetscape of Korogocho. There is a no- street vending have been generated
tion among the residents that the street by the street upgrading
upgrading has inspired new activities. t
There are more permanent business
Often, activity generates more activity structures in Korogocho and the
but it can also lead to conflicts as they streets have facilitated transporta-
limit some to the advantage of another. tion and availability of goods
The main activities on the streets are t
The competition between businesses is
transportation, vending and social in- higher even though more people/cus-
teraction. Walking is the most common tomers are moving along the streets
mode of transportation and during rush t
The upgrading has facilitated vend-
hours the streets of Korogocho are con- ing activities along the streets
gested with people walking to work or t
There are more temporary business
school or performing their daily chores. structures in the edge zones
In this section the activities in the streets t
Illegal activities are a continuing
of Korogocho have been studied to get problem in Korogocho but have
an understanding of how the form and decreased in most parts of the area
perception of the streets affects the ac- due to the street upgrading
tivities taking place. Locating where t
Pedestrians constitute the majority
people dwell and what activities they of the flow within Korogocho and
perform in the streets can set the de- are perceived to have increased since
sign for people-oriented streets. In this the streets were upgraded
chapter, activities were explored through t
Traffic accidents have increased with
the study of street flow, capital flow and the street upgrading due to the in-
mapping of existing activities and attrac- crease of vehicles in the area and chil-
tion points. dren are a particularly vulnerable group
 091

FORM
ACTIVITIES Material
Spatial typologies
Flow of people
Spatial relationships
Flow of capital
Equipment
Traffic
Connectivity
Waste managemen nt
Entrances/exits
Illegal activities
Top
Topography
Organizations
Services
Business
CONCEPTION
Memory
Information
Appropriation
Safety & security
Social relations
Sense of belonging
Vision

04.3 CONCEPTION
Conception is a combination of identity and
how a place is perceived. To individuals, the
conception of a place is therefore their set
of feelings and impressions about it. The
conception reflects cultural and individual
values and beliefs.21
092

SAFETY AND SECURITY

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Has residents’ experiences of security changed?
- If so, in which direction and where?

METHOD

SCHOOL WORKSHOP:
The workshop was held at the public school, Ngunyumu Primary School, in Korogo-
cho and aimed at investigating changes in the actual and experienced safety along
the children’s route to school. The school was chosen as it targets a wide geographi-
cal group of children located throughout the area.
Children are addressed as an important target group when assessing security as
such issues often affects them. Hence, their view can indicate the perspective of
other groups in the community as well.22 By assessing the routes it is possible to
reveal which of the streets that are used most frequently and if routes have changed
with the new streets. Asking the children to mark areas along the route that they
experience as more frightening, safer or more unsecure than before the completion
of the streets, provides a picture of how the children experience safety.
The second part of the exercise was a design workshop where the children were
asked for ideas on how the streets could be designed safer/better. This informs rec-
ommendations for future design and upgrading.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
The questionnaire survey investigated the perceived changes in safety and security
that arrived with the upgrading project. Questions such as if the streets have become
safer or less safe after the construction were asked and complemented with the main
reasons for the eventual difference.

In Korogocho, as in many slum areas, the high been used in the initial part of the investiga-
level of crime is a major concern. This affects tion to understand the main conception of
the perception of security. Before the upgrad- safety in the area. To understand the situation
ing many crime hotspots were located around before the implementation, street dialogues
street crossings and along thoroughfares.23 and questionnaires have been used jointly with
Therefore, it is essential to investigate if and comparisons with the safety audit from the
how the upgrading has affected the perceived socio-economic impact assessment. In order
safety and actual security in the community to target a group sensitive to issues of security
and how this influences engagement and and safety a mapping workshop has been held
mobility in the area. at Ngunyumu Primary School in Korogocho.
The experienced safety and security within
Korogocho has been investigated through FINDINGS
different methods to give an idea about how The next section is a comparison of safety audit
and if the upgraded streets have changed before the street upgrading, with the safety
perceptions in the area. Using various meth- assessment based on interview and dialogue
ods for the investigation gives possibility of after the street upgrading.
triangulation.24 Observation and dialogue has
 093

mugging
Pre-street security

robbery
murder
25 Hotspots
PRE-STREET TENDENCIES ;

rape
Issues mugging, rape,
t
Grogan A was the only village where robbery murder
murder was mentioned.

Korogocho
Pre-street critical areas
t
The outskirts of Korogocho were
specificly targeted
targeted as critical areas. in focus group discussions
t
The central part of Gitathuru was
targeted as a critical area.
t
Many crime hotspots were located
near entrances to the area.
t
Several crime hotspots were located
in street corners and along paths.
t
Numerous crime hotspots were
located near open places.

POST-STREET TENDENCIES;
t
Grogan A and B were experienced
as unsafe.
t
The upgraded streets, except in Safety perception prior the street upgrading,
Grogan and the low part of Mama according to the Socio-economic Survey.
Ngendo Road were experienced as
safe. Post-street critical areas
t
Open places with overview were Post-street safe/good areas
experienced as safe. Spots with overview and orientation
t
Escape ways for criminals were Streetlights
experienced as fewer. High-risk traffic accidents
t
Outskirts of the area as Dandora,
along the river and some parts of
Kariobangi were experienced as
unsafe.
t
Spaces with low activity were expe-
rienced as unsafe.
t
Mugging and motorcycle accidents
were the issues of insecurity most
frequently mentioned.
t
Streetlights were mentioned as an
important factor for safety.
t
Orientation in the area was expe-
rienced as better and as a positive
factor for safety. focus group discussions,
t
The long paths through Highridge interviews
from Kamunde Road were experi-
Safety perception after the street upgrading,
enced as escape ways for criminals. according to this case study in Korogocho.
094

Post-street security
POST-STREET TENDENCIES FOUND issues; rape, robbery, killers,
DURING THE SCHOOL WORKSHOP; thieves, accidents, dirt, drugs

t
Grogan was experienced as unsafe. Post-street unsafe areas

t
Gitathuru was experienced as Post-street safe/good areas
unsafe.
t
Dandora was experienced as unsafe.
t
The river was experienced as unsafe
but with potential.
t
Parts of Highridge were experienced
as unsafe.
t
Korogocho B with the chief’s camp
and the football field was experi-
enced as safe.
t
Kariobangi was experienced as
unsafe because of traffic accidents.
t
Nyayo was experienced as safe.
t
Home neighbourhood and well-
known areas were experienced as
safe.
specific targeted in focus group discussions
Target group; children Ngunyumu
Primary school

The outcome from the mapping exercise The children were asked if they walked the
revealed that 48 per cent of the children used same way to school after the street upgrad-
parts of Kamunde Road (measured after the ing, 40 per cent answered ‘yes’ and 60 per cent
crossing with Community Lane), 20 per cent answered ‘no’. There was no great difference
used parts of Market Road, 37 per cent used between boys and girls. When the children
parts of Community Lane, and 30 per cent were asked if they walked to school alone 44
used parts of Muthenya Road on their way to per cent said ‘yes’ and 56 per cent said ‘no’.
school. Of the children living in Korogocho B, Slightly fewer girls than boys answered that
only 8 per cent used Market Road, 17 per cent they walked to school alone. The total amount
Community Lane and as many as 75 per cent of children asked were 40 - 20 boys and 20
used Kamunde Road to school. girls - and 4 of them did not give an answer to

Do you walk the same way to school since the road Do you walk to school alone?
was constructed? (no answer 4) (no answer 4)

Yes 60% No 40% Yes 44% No 56%

 095






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This map is a summary of the places that were listed as good and bad by the students, and the character-
istics associated with them.

d
t roa
arke
art of M
48% Uses part of Kamunde road (after the crossing) U ses p
20%
37
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Us
es
NGUNYUMU pa
rt
PRIMARY SCHOOL of
Co
m
d m
oa un 8% Of the children living in Korogocho B
ar ity
ny lan uses Market Road to school
he
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M
part 17% Of the children living in Korogocho B
es uses the Community lane to school
Us
%
30 75% Uses Kamunde road to school

This map represents the way all students that participated in the workshop take to school.
096


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This map is a combination of the places that the students pointed out in the mapping excercise, represent-
ing the places they percieve as dangerous or appealing.
 097

either of the questions above. Of the partici- safe after the streets were improved. Unemploy-
pants in the questionnaire survey, 42 per cent ment was mentioned as a cause of criminality
answered that Korogocho has become safer, 42 in the area. The youth was perceived as a big
per cent said that it was less safe and the rest issue as many of them are unemployed or

Korogocho
did not notice any changes. This indicates that underemployed. Several of the participants
there are still security problems even though in the survey stressed that they wanted more
the security in some areas has been improved. police to patrol the streets in order to increase
When looking at the villages separately, security.
Nyayo had noticed an improvement in secu-
rity with 84 per cent of the participants from
the questionnaire survey saying so. People
answered that the wider streets has enabled No change
the spotting of criminals from a distance.
Safer
The streetlights and the motorcycles were
mentioned by all participants as factors that Less safe
have improved security and reduced the
amount of criminal activities. The possibil-
ity of travelling easily by motorcycle has even
facilitated walking through insecure areas as it
makes it possible to get away at any time. Questionnaire outcome. Do you experience that the
In Korogocho B, 65 per cent of the partici- streets became safer after they were constructed?
(total respondents)
pants answered that the area has become less
Kisumu Ndogo

Kisumu Ndogo

Kisumu Ndogo
Korogocho A

Korogocho A

Korogocho A
Korogocho B

Korogocho B

Korogocho B
Highridge

Highridge

Highridge
Grogan A

Grogan A
Githaturu

Githaturu

Githaturu
Grogan B

Grogan B

Grogan B
Nyayo

Nyayo

Nyayo

Safer Less safe No change

Questionnaire outcome. Do you experience that the streets became safer after they were constructed? (vil-
lages specified)
098

SUMMARY
The safety comparison, the school workshop their own neighbourhood and home as more
and the questionnaire survey, confirmed that secure than other areas. They also perceive
Grogan A and B are still experienced as the places where a lot of people and other children
most insecure villages in Korogocho. The spend time as secure as well as the chief ’s camp,
river and Dandora are also targeted as unsafe the St John’s Primary School, their own school-
mainly by the children, due to rapists, thieves, yard and Daniel Comboni football field.
‘children-stealers’, waste and lack of property. Before the upgrading, many crime hotspots
Based on interviews and dialogue, the general were located along streets now perceived as
conception was that crime has gone down secure and this might have caused the chil-
within the settlements but some residents dren to change their route to school. When
meant that crimes have only been relocated to the children answered how the insecure places
other more remote spots in the area. along the streets could be redesigned in order
The residents no longer mentioned Gita- to provide more safety, the most frequent
thuru as particularly insecure, which also was answer was better/more houses, trees, security,
indicated by participants in the questionnaire signs, traffic lights, cars on the streets, bus/
survey. Streets and street corners were frequently matatu stops and shops.
mentioned as where the largest change in secu-
rity has occurred, especially during night due t
Grogan was perceived as the most inse-
to the new streetlights. Open spaces with over- cure of the villages
view and fewer escape possibilities for thieves t
Outskirts of Korogocho and the area close
and muggers were viewed as safe and the to the river were perceived as insecure
general conception was that crimes like murder t
Most of the criminals are thought to be
and rape have gone down while mugging and youths, especially in Korogocho B
traffic accidents were issues most frequently t
The street upgrading had improved the
mentioned as sources of insecurity. security in the area
Places with low activity were experienced as t
Streetlights and the widening of the streets
unsafe. An example of this was the lower part have helped in improving the security as
of ‘Mama Ngendo Road’ and the long paths criminals can be spotted
through Highridge from Kamunde Road as t
The improved streets have created the
they were mentioned as escape routes for crimi- possibility to avoid walking through
nals. Orientation in the area has increased with insecure areas and allowed for safer trans-
the street upgrading, which was frequently portation in the form of motorcycles
mentioned as a positive factor for security. t
Nyayo village was perceived as safer after
From the children’s workshop it can be the upgrading
concluded that the children often perceive
 099

SENSE OF BELONGING AND APPROPRIATION

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Has the sense of belonging changed?

Korogocho
- Have the streets been appropriated for new uses?
- What signs of appropriation can be seen?

METHOD

FIELD STUDY:
The investigation of changes in sense of belonging was based on observations and
dialogue with residents. Observations reveal information about the visible structures
of place (the form) and the level of appropriation and individual improvement in the
urban space can be seen as an indicator for the sense of belonging.26 As concep-
tions combine identity with feelings and impressions about a place it was crucial to
understand how the sense of belonging in the community had been affected by
the upgrading. To get a deeper understanding of the residents’ perceptions and re-
veal local invisible issues, dialogue and group discussions were an important tool to
gather information.

When adapting to and using the urban The perception of the streets as not belong-
setting, a sense of home and belonging can ing to the community might strengthen the
be achieved. This sense of belonging, together sense of belonging in the community but
with being in the general public, creates the widen the gap with the rest of the city. At
urban culture and this helps create its iden- the same time, many residents expressed the
tity.27 It is a basic human need to be attached feeling that Korogocho was more connected
and have connections to certain places.28 to the surrounding city after the streets were
As stated, a community feeling that contains constructed.
confidence makes people want to stay in the A general opinion among the residents was
neighbourhood and improve it.29 Hence a that mobility of people from outside and
sense of belonging is strongly connected to inside Korogocho was easier. This might have
the appropriation of public space, attachment
to and identification with the streets.30 A pros-
perous sense of belonging is crucial for a slum
to successfully upgrade.31 The understanding
how the sense of belonging has changed in the
area due to the street upgrading is important
23% Most of the day
for recommendations and future knowledge. 7% Only for sleeping

FINDINGS 64% Whole day

Findings from dialogues and interviews
revealed that people in general are proud
of living in Korogocho. Even though some
people were not satisfied with the construction
of the streets and still see them as government
property, they (the streets) represent stability Questionnaire outcome. How much of your time do
you spend in Korogocho?
and continuity.
100

strengthened the sense of belonging to Nairobi

City and the positioning of the residents in a
greater context. It might also have resulted in
positive feelings about the future.
How much time a person spends in Korogo-
cho and where the time is spent could inform
which type of places trigger a strong sense of
belonging and which type of setting in the
area is most important to the residents.
According to the questionnaire survey,
most of the participants spent their whole day
in Korogocho and home and work were the
places where they spend most of their time.
This indicates that the dwelling within Koro-
gocho is very important as well as the streets as
many people work there.
Dialogue and observations revealed that
people spend time in places they perceive as safe
and places become safe because people spend
time there. Being in the public space is a form
of appropriation in itself and the general view
was that the area is safer; the sense of belonging
is stronger in Korogocho after the upgrading. It
is hard to determine if the actual level of secu-
rity has increased but an important finding was
that the perceived safety is increased and with
it the possibility of being in the public space.
Observations informed that there is a high level
of physical appropriation in Korogocho. People
bring furniture onto the streets, expand their
businesses on the edge zones and build bridges
over the drainage. Whether this is a result of the
low amount of available space and poor main-
tenance of the public space in Korogocho or if
it is an indicator of greater sense of belonging is
difficult to determine.
The fact that it is physically easier to walk
on the streets and to orientate within the area
will facilitate appropriation. The revelation
that streetlights have made it easier to spend
more hours of the day in the public space also
enables appropriation, especially for groups
that might spend the most of their daily time
outside of Korogocho.
 101

The general notion from the questionnaires School 11% Home 32 %

and interviews was that people were available
to spend more time outside. Activities that
would normally take place inside one’s home

Korogocho
can now happen in or along the streets, also
later in the day. Observed activities such as
roller skating could not take place in Korogo-
cho before the streets were paved and this kind
of activity appropriates the streets for new uses
and widens the possibilities of activities that
could take place there. Many people have also
stated that it is now easier to meet and commu- Street 19% Work 37%
nicate after the upgrading of the streets. The
streets, and essentially the street corners, could Questionnaire outcome. Where in Korogocho do
function as public meeting places. you spend the most of your time?
On average, the most important street for
participants of the questionnaire survey was
Market Road due to business and shopping.
Many also considered the street closest to
their home or the street that provided space
for their business as the most important.
Kamunde Road was mentioned several times
as important due to its well-functioning street-
lights and drainage system. This appeared to
have improved the perception and conception

No 28% Yes 72%

Questionnaire outcome. Have you noticed new ac-
Community Lane tivities in the streets since they where improved?

Kamunde
Road

Mama Ngendo
Road
Kisumu Ndogo
Korogocho A

Korogocho B
Grogan A

Grogan B

Highridge
Githaturu

Market Road
Nyayo

Questionnaire outcome. Which street in Korogocho is most impor-

tant for you? (villages specified)
102

of the area. Streets connecting to religious to move. But the desire to make Korogocho
centres that provide toilets and peace were also improved and ‘not a slum’ was yet stronger.
mentioned as important. The fear for a future upgrading and that the
Particular appropriation of the street space roots might be pulled out has a destructive
may limit the opportunities for other uses effect on sense of belonging.
and users. The appropriation by vendors is a Understanding what processes were under-
positive factor for the sense of belonging due taken in the area, and how the community
to increased street life. However, the vendors related to this kind of initiatives, plays a crucial
demand a lot of space on the pavements and role in how new projects will be received. The
edge zones that forces pedestrians to walk on participation in the layout process tells how
the actual streets. the residents related to the improved streets.
The motorcycles are a form of appropriation Some 86 per cent of participants in the ques-
that has increased with the new streets. Because tionnaire survey did not feel involved in
of high speed and risk of accidents, they limit the layout process of the streets. It could be
the possibilities for children to appropriate the concluded that some of the respondents may
street as playing area and safe walking space. sense less care for the improved streets. On
Some residents expressed a desire not to the other hand, a few of the participants were
stay in Korogocho if there was a possibility employed during the construction.

Yes 14% CONCLUSIONS

No 866% t
Many residents are more proud of their
area since the streets were constructed
t
Korogocho has now better connections to
the surrounding and is thereby able to feel
a greater social inclusion to the greater
city of Nairobi
t
Streets with a high level of activity and
Questionnaire outcome. Did you feel involved in appropriation are perceived as important
the layout process of the streets? (all respondents) in the area
 103

SOCIAL RELATIONS
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Did the upgrading of the streets increase/decrease social conflicts in the area?

Korogocho
- How is the situation now?

METHOD

DIALOGUE:
Dialogue reveals the hidden social and economic structures of place that can be for-
mal or non-formal. There are sometimes conflicting groups in a community, different
interests, cultures and practices. As co-creators of place, all groups in the community
relate to place in some way.32

In order to understand the impact the street diminished in size, felt particularly unsatisfied
upgrading has on the community it is impor- with the process. According to the findings
tant to reveal different stakeholders and their they were mainly structure owners that resided
interests. Conflicts and changes in social rela- directly along the streets, hence they were the
tions can inform about the complex web of largest group directly affected.
power dynamics present in the community. It is more difficult to draw conclusions on
Cooperation with different civil society groups how the tenants were affected. Interviews and
is vital in accomplishing good governance in a dialogue informed that some conflicts between
participation project.33 The different civil so- tenants and structure owners occurred due to
ciety groups are establishing partnerships that resettling as a result of the street construction.
could be both formal and informal and, to get The majority of the participants from the
a deeper understanding of the residents’ per- questionnaire survey did not feel involved in
ceptions and reveal local invisible issues, it has the upgrading process. Several of them stressed
been important to find these groups and rec- that they wished to be more involved and
ognize their concerns. many were upset by the rapid and unsatisfied
FINDINGS
Many residents feel that they have not been
involved in the street upgrading process. Resi-
dents that were directly affected, in the way
that their house or shop was demolished or
Kisumu Ndogo
Kisumu Ndogo

Korogocho A
Korogocho A
Korogocho B

Korogocho B
Highridge
Grogan B
Grogan A
Githaturu

Githaturu
Grogan A
Grogan B

Nyayo

Nyayo

Yes No
Questionnaire outcome. Did you feel involved in the layout process of the streets? (villages defined)
104

handling of the displacements although there passing by. Some residents also mentioned
were a few who had the opportunity to join that there are fewer conflicts in the area due to
in the construction of the streets. Among the the establishing of the Residents’ Committee
participants, 14 per cent said that the project that helps solve land disputes and other issues
generated some job opportunities. Even in the settlement.
though they felt involved in the process they
did not have the power to spread ideas and CONCLUSIONS
influence the layout of the streets. t
Few residents felt involved in the layout
The possibility to be involved in the process of the streets, which resulted in
construction generated a positive feeling and conflicts and negative feelings concerning
pride among the people that had the chance to the process
participate. The questionnaire revealed that the t
Conflicts have arisen due to resettling and
social connections and cooperation between land reorganization during the process
vendors and residents have improved since t
Improved social connections and coop-
the streets were constructed. Many residents eration were facilitated due to the street
mentioned that the new social bounds have improvements
helped people to work together within the
area; this might strengthen the feeling of Koro-
gocho as one unit instead of separate villages.
The fact that it is easier to move around,
meet and have a better overview of people
moving in the area widens the social network,
which has a positive effect on personal security
and stability. Observations at various hours of
the day revealed that a lot of people spend time
outside their houses, orientated towards the
streets, watching and saying hello to people

VISION
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
- Has residents’ vision for the future in Korogocho changed?

METHOD
This chapter mainly builds upon earlier investigations and is mostly a point for dis-
cussion. The residents’ visions will also be presented as narratives from different
individuals that engage in the street.

The hopes and visions of the residents in a too vast or happens to fast, dwellers in the
community can say a lot about the conditions affected setting are more likely to oppose and
there. As stated previously, a precondition dislike it.35 It is also likely that fast changes
for slum upgrading and the residents to stay in slum settings lead to gentrification.36 Hence
after the upgrading is a belief in a future in the visions of the residents in Korogocho can
the setting, without the fear of being excluded inform how well the upgrading project was
by gentrification or by more powerful inter- received in the community and guide recom-
ests.34 Communities are often hesitant towards mendations for future implementations.
changes and when the break with the past is
 105

FINDINGS common notion is that without the involve-

Residents that were positively affected by the ment of the community, sustainable change
project in general had a positive vision for the cannot take place and the presence of constant
future and stated that they were in Korogo- conflicting interests might undermine the

Korogocho
cho to stay. Residents that felt that they had prospect of a thriving transformation.
been negatively affected and were discontent There is a suspicion of the community repre-
with the process felt a strong concern and sentatives given the experience drawn from the
insecurity about the future. The notion that political arena where the representatives of the
people often forget them after they are elected,
Korogocho stands before a vast and unknown
preferring to pursue other interests than those
change limits the possibility for the residents
of the community. The fears of gentrification,
to have a clear vision about the future.
higher living costs and rents that are related
The various stakeholders and interests have with the upgrading process are also considered
different visions for Korogocho. The Kenyan a hurdle for the achieving of improvement.
government wants a Nairobi to become a The visions among the residents show that the
city without slum areas – ‘Nairobi without most important thing is better housing, more
slums37’ - where a strong economy is the most hospitals, schools and basic services such as
important factor for development of the city. water and sanitation. People often see insecu-
The Korogocho Slum Upgrading rity as a result of the economic situation and
Programme wants a Korogocho where the crime, viewing this as an obstacle to reaching
community provides the residents with secu- a better life.
rity of tenure and where physical, economic
and social living conditions are improved. The
CONCLUSIONS
residents want a stable and safe community
where they know that their flourishing busi- t
Visions are highly personal and depend-
nesses will not disappear and where children ent on how the residents were affected by
can have safe places to play and go to school. the programme
The Kenya-Italy Dept for Development t
There is a wide variety of visions within
Programme (KIDDP) wants to empower Korogocho and from outside often in
communities through the improvement of conflict with each other
access to basic social and economic facilities. t
Many residents consider themselves to
Conflicting interests within the settlement, have knowledge and capacity for how to
or with the city, were often mentioned by the improve Korogocho and want to take part
people interviewed as a hindrance for reaching in future processes
the vision of a better Korogocho.
There are community-based organizations
in Korogocho that have strong beliefs in the
future and a determined desire to improve
the area. There are also conflicting interests
who benefit from maintaining the status quo.
Many dwellers have confidence and trust in
themselves as containers of great knowledge
of what is best for the future, while others are
influenced by the prevailing models proposed
by the global community through the media,
often negating the community’s social values
and fostering instead a competitive individu-
alism and privatization of public good. A
106

CONCEPTION - KEY MESSAGES

The conception of a place, neighbour- t
Confidence among residents has in-
hood or street is a complex notion cre- creased due to the street upgrading
ated by various aspects such as memory, t
Orientation and overview in the area
position in society and previous experi- is seen as better and as a positive
ences. To change the conception about factor concerning safety
a place is a slow process; conceptions of t
The residents perceive Korogocho as
residents of any urban setting does not more integrated with the surround-
always reflect the actual reality. The con- ing parts of Nairobi
ceptions of a place, or a cause of events, t
Streets with high levels of activity
are often more influential on the use and appropriation are perceived as
of the place than the reality. This is re- important and safe within the area
flected in the conception of safety, which t
The improved streets have gener-
affects the way people move and act in ated the possibility of avoiding walk-
the urban space on a higher level than ing through insecure areas due to
the actual security. Conceptions from the safer transportation by motorcycles
residents are highly personal but given t
Mugging and motorcycle accidents
time to be comprehended and jointly are the issues of insecurity most fre-
with other findings they can provide quently mentioned
an important understanding of aspects t
Few residents felt involved in the lay-
hidden from an outside observer. In this out process of the streets, which re-
chapter, the aspects of conception that sulted in negative feelings concern-
will be discussed are safety and security, ing the process
appropriation, sense of belonging, social t
Social connections and cooperation
relations and visions. were facilitated due to the street im-
The evident change among the residents provements
due to the upgrading is the improved t
Visions for the future are dependent
perception of safety in the area. The wid- on individual priorities and how the
ening of the streets has strengthened the programme has personally affected
notion of connectivity to the surround- the residents so far
ing city context and perceived movement t
There are a wide variety of stake-
within the area. Visions for the future and holders and interests on different
confidence in Korogocho have grown but levels within Korogocho, some in
the residents also feel uncertainty for the conflict with each other
future and some feel a lack of connec- t
Conflicts have arisen due to reset-
tion and care for the upgraded streets. tling and land reorganization
 107

04.4 IMPROVEMENT IDEAS

The result from the Questionnaire survey reveal the most negative,
accidents, and the most positive, transportation, effects of the street
upgrading project. The participants were also asked to give some ideas
on how the upgrading could be improved.
108

IMPROVEMENT IDEAS FROM THE COMMUNITY

The participants in the questionnaire survey As can be seen below, the improvement
were asked to list the main advantages and the ideas from the community were therefore
main disadvantages which the street upgrad- mainly based around the issue of traffic safety.
ing has generated. It is remarkable that the Ideas on how to reduce the speed on the streets
main advantage is thought to be the facilitated were common, such as the implementation of
transportation while the main disadvantage street bumps, traffic lights, more police and
is the increased amount of accidents. These street signs. Other ideas comprised meas-
effects are both caused by the increased traffic. ures to organize and accommodate the flows
During the field research, the community of traffic and pedestrians better, such as the
was asked to come up with ideas on how to implementation of pavement on both sides of
improve the street environment. The most the street, safe crossings for children, widening
prominent criticism from the community was of the streets and the allocation of places to
the increased number of accidents along the allow business.
streets. This is mainly due to the increased A number of the interviewees mentioned a
amount of motorcycles on the streets, and the concern about the quality of the streets and
lack of street hierarchies. wished it had been higher.

IMPPROVEMENT IDEAS FROM RESIDENTS

Street signs
Zebra crossings
Vegetation
Bumps
More police
Places allowing business
Involve everyone in the process (involve mothers)
Streetlights first
Pavements on both sides
Sewer lines
Make the streets bigger
Bridges
Smooth the process of evictions
Extend the infrastructure in all villages
Improve construction quality
Improve waste collection
Provide parking for trucks at the market
Parking for motorcycles and other vehicles
Water taps
 109

CHAPTER FOUR ENDNOTES

1. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, 22. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using public
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban space. 6. ed. København: The Danish Architectural
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. Press.
2. Kaplan, R & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of 23. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-

Korogocho
Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
Cambridge University Press Training Promotions Institute.
3. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using public 24. Hamdi, N. (2010). The Placemaker´s Guide to
space. 6. ed. København: The Danish Architectural Building Community. Tools for community planning
Press. Earthscan
4. Staeheli, L.A. (2007) Place. In: A companion 25. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-
to political Geography. Chapter 11. Blackwell economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
Publishing Ltd. Training Promotions Institute.
5. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, 26. Gifford, R. (2002). Environmental psychology:
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban Principles and practices. 2d edition. Victoria,
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. Canada: Optimal Books., Hamdi, N. (2010). The
6. Kaplan, R & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Placemaker´s Guide to Building Community. Tools
Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: for community planning Earthscan
Cambridge University Press 27. De Vaal, M. & De Lange, M. (2008) The mobile
7. Gifford, R. (2002). Environmental psychology: city, a conference on locative media, urban culture
Principles and practices. 2d edition. Victoria, and identity. In: The mobile city. Rotterdam: The
Canada: Optimal Books. Netherlands Architecture Institute, Feb 27-28,
8. Relph, E. (1976). Place and Placelessness. London: 2008.
Pion, pp.1-43 28. Relph, E. (1976). Place and Placelessness. London:
9. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great Pion, pp.1-43
American Cities. London: Vintage Books. 29. Gifford, R. (2002). Environmental psychology:
10. Kaplan, R & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Principles and practices. 2d edition. Victoria,
Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: Canada: Optimal Books.
Cambridge University Press 30. Staeheli, L.A. (2007) Place. In: A companion
11. COHRE. (2006). Listening to the poor? Housing to political Geography. Chapter 11. Blackwell
rights in Nairobi, Kenya. Consultation Report, Publishing Ltd.
Fact-Finding Mission to Nairobi, Kenya, Geneva, 31. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great
Switzerland: The Centre on Housing Rights and American Cities. London: Vintage Books.
Evictions (COHRE). 32-33. Hamdi, N. (2010). The Placemaker´s Guide to
12. UN-HABITAT. (2011). Building Urban Safety through Building Community. Tools for community planning
Slum upgrading. Nairobi: UN-HABITAT. Earthscan
13. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, 34. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban American Cities. London: Vintage Books., COHRE.
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. (2006). Listening to the poor? Housing rights in
14. Kaplan, R & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nairobi, Kenya. Consultation Report, Fact-Finding
Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: Mission to Nairobi, Kenya, Geneva, Switzerland:
Cambridge University Press, Stigsdotter, U.A. & The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions
Grahn, P. (2001). What makes a garden a healing (COHRE).
garden. American horticulture therapy association. 35. Anthrop, M. (2005). Why Landscapes of the Past
15. Mundia, C.N. & Aniya, M. (2006). Dynamics of are Important for the Future. Landscape and urban
Landuse/Cover Changes and Degradation of Nairobi planning Volume 70, Issue 1-2, 15 January 2005,
City, Kenya. Land Degrad. Develop. 17: 97–108. page 21-34
University of Tsukuba, Japan: Graduate School of 36. COHRE. (2006). Listening to the poor? Housing
Life & Environmental Sciences. rights in Nairobi, Kenya. Consultation Report,
16. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, Fact-Finding Mission to Nairobi, Kenya, Geneva,
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban Switzerland: The Centre on Housing Rights and
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998. Evictions (COHRE).
17-19. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using 37. Nairobi Ministry of Metropolitan [online] (2008)
public space. 6. ed. København: The Danish Metro 2030 Strategy. Available from: http://www.
Architectural Press.. nairobimetro.go.ke/index.php?option=com_
20. Hamdi, N. (2010). The Placemaker´s Guide to docman&Itemid=80 (2012-03-30)
Building Community. Tools for community planning
Earthscan.
21. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity,
vitality and urban design. London: Journal of Urban
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998.
110

05:MAIN
FINDINGS
& KEY
LESSONS
111
112

MAIN FINDINGS
The main findings of this study are based upon with the upgrading of the streets. The streets
the experiences and perceptions of the resi- have boosted public activities, microecono-
dents of Korogocho. The findings are mainly mies and brought positive visions about the
on a local level concerning the everyday life of future to many of the residents. Importantly,
the residents. However, the findings can also the streets have served a big role in improv-
inform street upgrading theory and practice in ing the overall perception of safety in the area.
more general terms. This section aims to articulate the main find-
In general, the majority of the residents that ings from the study.
were reached during this study are satisfied

RESIDENTS MAIN PRIORITIES STATED IN THE SOCIO ECONOMIC SURVEY IN

RELATION TO THE FOCUS OF THIS STUDY

PRIORITY ACTION OUTCOME

Availability of business Widening and paving of streets, More business activities in
opportunities implementation of streetlights. form of motorcycle taxis and
vending activities. Facilita-
tion of opening and running
business
Construction of good drain- Construction of open drainage Less water on the road but
age and sewerage lines system along main streets accumulation of waste in the
drainage. Residents fear a
fast deterioration due to bad
quality
Good and enhanced security Implementation of streetlights The overall conception of
(police post) security has improved
Good permanent houses with Enumeration and preparation of Not yet implemented; an
title deeds and affordable plan where some of the structure on-going process
rents owners get a title deed

Improved infrastructure (bet- Improvement of main streets and Mobility within the area is
ter roads) construction of footbridge facilitated and access to the
surrounding city
Improved sanitation (toilets), Street improvement Access to water points are facili-
and access to water and tated
sewerage services
Installation of power and Installation of streetlights The perception from the com-
streetlights munity is that the streets lights
have brought a lot of positive
aspects to the area in terms
of security and the extending
of the active and productive
hours of the day
More and better primary None Some of the children has men-
schools tioned that the access to school
has been facilitated due to the
upgraded streets
 113

STREET UPGRADING OBJECTIVES IN RELATION TO OUTCOMES OF THIS STUDY

*Overall programme objectives from the Socio Economic Impact Assessment.1

Main Findings & Key Lessons

OBJECTIVE ACTION OUTCOME
Implement concrete improve- Widening of main streets, The perception among
ments to ensure visible paving and implementation the residents is that the
impact. of drainage, streetlights and implementation has brought
footbridge. positive change to the area.
Implement drainage in the Construction of open drain- The implementation is
area. age along the main streets. valued among the residents,
but some have articulated a
concern regarding manage-
ment and quality of the
drainage.
Implement access roads to Implementation of street and Many residents feel
improve accessibility and con- footbridge. Increased levels of social
nectivity to the city. inclusion within the city of
Nairobi.
Establish residents’ confi- Meetings, events, display of Residents that were involved
dence in the overall upgrad- plans, questionnaire survey, in the process feel confident
ing programme. and enumeration undertaken. mainly due to the
enumeration.
Cover the whole project area Improvement of main streets Residents not reached by
and reach all villages. connected to all eight villages. the participatory actions feel
less confidence in the pro-
gramme and the future.
Improve security through the Implementation of street- All villages except Grogan
increasing of business oppor- lights. are experienced as more
tunities and streetlights. included within Korogocho
by the residents.
Improve the image of the Street improvement. The residents perception
area. is improved security and
increased business activity.
Bring a sense of pride among Street improvement. Residents have expressed a
the residents. renewed confidence of living
in Korogocho.
Open up the area for devel- Street improvement. Residents are proud that
opment. people now dare to enter
Korogocho, and they feel
more confidence in the
future of Korogocho in
general.
Involve and engage the Community meetings, events Public activities and microeco-
community throughout the and involvement in the con- nomics have been boosted.
assessment process. struction work. Some residents feel that they
were not involved in the process.
 114
103
1. KOROGOCHO HAS BECOME MORE
SPATIALLY AND SOCIALLY INTEGRATED
WITHIN NAIROBI AND MOBILITY INSIDE
THE AREA HAS INCREASED
The study found that the general perception
among residents is that Korogocho has become
more integrated within Nairobi and that the
mobility in Korogocho has improved in three
different aspects: spatial integration within the
city, social inclusion within the city and spatial
mobility inside Korogocho and wider social
connections.
SPATIAL INTEGRATION WITHIN THE CITY
The paving of the streets created a continuous
and integrating urban floor, attaching Korogo-
cho to the larger Nairobi. The improved access
streets have opened Korogocho as an alterna-
tive bypass and more vehicles now enter the
area. The streets have increased the connectiv-
ity to a larger urban setting and the residents
believe that the streets have played an impor-
tant role in opening up the area and inviting
people from outside.
EXPERIENCED SOCIAL INCLUSION
WITHIN THE CITY
The residents have articulated a renewed confi-
dence of living in Korogocho and are proud
that people now dare to enter the area. The
sense of belonging to a greater context and
to Nairobi City has been strengthened. This
decreases the feeling of marginalization, which
is often experienced in slums.
FACILITATED SPATIAL MOBILITY INSIDE
KOROGOCHO AND WIDER SOCIAL
CONNECTIONS
The cognitive and the actual physical mobility
within Korogocho have improved. The streets
have brought better access, safer transport
and increased the possibility to move around
in Korogocho. The residents can now move
in the area during night, either carried by a
motorcycle taxi or walking in the light from
the streetlights. As more people move on the
streets it is also easier to have a wider social
network.
 115

Theory suggests that there is a distinct conflict mentioned among shop owners. Another
of mobility and local place that might result type of business is the motorcycle taxi that
in functions which essential for the resi- has increased in the area and generated job
dents being pushed out from the settlement.2 opportunities.

Main Findings & Key Lessons

Protagonists for integrating slums in the city
ACCESSIBILITY AND AVAILABILITY OF
claim that it is crucial to consider the city as a
COMMODITIES
holistic system where all areas are integrated.
To integrate slums with the rest of the urban The increased vending activities and the
context includes improvements in provision of renewed consistency of them have affected
basic services and the enhancement of physi- the accessibility and availability of commodi-
cal conditions. Inclusion also helps fight the ties in Korogocho. The improved access roads
socio-political isolation and stigmatization and the augmented use of them contribute
that linger with many informal and marginal- in supplying the area with a greater variety
ized communities.3 of goods. The increased amount of motorcy-
Some state that not all aspects of segregation cles also plays a role in enabling the increased
are negative. Sometimes segregation enhances supply, since they can now easily transport
a sense of mutual dependence and increases goods within the area.
the sense of neighbourhood and community.4 3. RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF SAFETY
HAS IMPROVED
2. INCREASED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY AND The study found that the general perception
AVAILABILITY OF EVERYDAY COM- among residents is that the perceived and expe-
MODITIES rienced safety within Korogocho has improved
The general perception of the residents during mainly due to three different aspects; increased
this study is that the total amount of business has activity, the form and design of the streets, and
increased throughout the area. Business is mainly the facilitated mobility in the area.
constituted of small shops, kiosks and portable INCREASED ACTIVITY
vending structures selling everyday commodities,
The improved streets have helped increase the
and motorcycle taxis transporting commodities
amount of activities and flows of people. In
and people throughout the area.
areas with the highest flows it is now easier to
EXTENDED VENDING ACTIVITIES AND sell goods. Vendors interviewed along streets
MOTORCYCLE TAXIS with high activity were mainly positive to the
Many residents stated that the street upgrad- changes due to the upgrading, and content
ing had facilitated the implementation of with the increased amount of activities in the
new businesses. With more people moving in area as it stimulates their business.
the streets during more hours of the day, the However, vendors in streets with low activ-
businesses attract more customers creating a ity complained about the limited amount of
beneficial circle. customers but increased amount of compe-
The businesses’ operating hours have been tition. Streets with a high level of activity
extended as an effect of improved security and appropriation are perceived as being as
and environmental conditions. The street- important as safe streets. Residents often
lights prolong the daily operating hours and mentioned the level of activity and especially
the paving has reduced the amount of waste vending activities as an indicator of safety.
and mud on the streets, opening the possi- This pinpoints that the livelihood of a street
bility of operating even during rain seasons. is mainly a self-generating process, and that
The increased business has resulted in higher activity feeds activity and is highly connected
competition, something that was widely with the perception of safety.
116

ALTERED FORM AND DESIGN OF THE The motorcycle business has also provided
STREET jobs for many previously unemployed youths
During the study, high activity and movement (some of whom were previously engaged
was often observed in street sections attributed in criminal activity), which has positively
with a wide edge zone with high complexity affected the overall perception of security in
and pavement on either side of the street. Korogocho. The facilitated orientation in the
More activities and movement on the streets area due to the street grid is also a contrib-
has generated greater perceived security in uting factor as residents mentioned that they
those open spaces. A large number of the resi- find it easier to locate themselves in the wider
dents that were reached during the field study context, which has a positive impact on the
emphasized the reduction of illegal activities experience of security.
due to the new streetlights.
4. THE FORM OF THE STREET DOES NOT
Many residents also highlighted the
RESPOND TO, OR EXPLOIT OPTIONS
improved overview in Korogocho. Before
FOR DIFFERENT USES
the street upgrading begun, numerous crime
hotspots were located near open places. Today, A street is a public space and provides a stage for
open places with overview are viewed as safe. economic, social and political activities.5 Streets
The wider, more open streets have imposed are the platform upon which urban life unfolds
visual control on many of the escape routes every day. They should be representative of our
that were a security issue in the area before the lifestyle and culture, with a design that responds
upgrading. to the multitude of activities and functions that
MOBILITY streets perform.6 The study indicates that the
streetscape has failed to adequately accommodate
The possibility for safe travel by motorcycles the multiple functions, uses and activities that
in insecure areas was largely mentioned among are competing over space in Korogocho.
the residents as a factor for increased safety.
 117

LACK OF ACCESS TO PHYSICAL OPEN SPACE can be degraded when local livelihoods need to
At selected times, particularly in the morning be secured.
and evening hours, the streets of Korogocho One risk is the dependence on strong voices in
are highly congested. When vending activities the community and political pressures that might

Main Findings & Key Lessons

expand to the pavement, people are forced to lead to favouring the interests of some stakehold-
walk on the street and pedestrian accessibility ers and that the needs of other groups are pushed
and safety is threatened. Traffic accidents are aside or concealed.7 The majority of the residents
common and considered the main concern reached by the questionnaire survey did not feel
of the residents associated with the upgraded involved in the layout process of the streets. Many
streets. residents do not feel that the streets belong to them,
During the study a wide range of hybrid which affects the attachment in the whole area.
functions has been observed with open drain- The ability to influence the design layout was
age reappropriated through the construction also limited by certain design and planning stan-
of temporary bridges and platforms to run dards set by the government and other national
business being one example. As access to authorities.
physical open space is low, hybrid functions INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS
and multiple uses often occur in and along the DID NOT REACH ALL RESIDENTS
streets. The study informs that there are possi-
The field study indicates that information
bilities to maximize the use of the streets with
hybrid functions. about the street upgrading process failed to
reach some of the residents. Several of them
THE ORGANIZATION OF STREET SPACE stressed that they had wished to be more
IS NOT PROPORTIONED TO TRANSPOR- involved. Residents who claim they were
TATION MEANS victims of short notice displacements due to
The study informs that pedestrians constitute the widening of the streets are especially unsat-
the largest amount of traffic and the number of isfied with the lack of communication. The
motor vehicles is relatively low in Korogocho. lack of communication and understanding
Hence the part of the street that is reserved for of the resettling and reorganization process of
motor vehicles is proportionally too big due to land gave rise to conflicts in the area, mainly
planning and design standards formulated by between landlords and tenants.
the Government of Kenya. This highlights the Some residents have expressed the sense that
need to reorganize the street to accommodate the streets belong to the government and that
all its necessary uses. The fear of accidents, and they have no power to influence the outcome;
the lack of organization in the street, limits the this risks the sense of care and ownership
potential of the street. negatively. Power relations, especially the owner-
tenant relation, can risk obstructing the flow of
5. THE MODES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE information to the disadvantage for the tenants.
PLANNING PROCESS DID NOT RESPOND
TO ALL GROUPS IN KOROGOCHO
RESIDENTS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN
Participation in slum upgrading processes THE PROCESS HAVE A MORE POSITIVE
increases the likelihood of care for the outcome ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROGRAMME
and attachment to the implementations among
The residents who had the opportunity to join
the residents. When local knowledge and skills
the construction of the streets believe that the
are considered there is also an increased efficiency
project generated job opportunities. Those
and building of local capacities. At the same time,
who were engaged in the construction felt
participation demands expenses in time and
involved in the process even though they did
sometimes money for both the programme and
not have the power to spread ideas and influ-
the residents. The importance of participation
ence the layout of the streets.
118

6. THE RESIDENTS EXPRESS VARYING CHANGE OF RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS

CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF KORO- IS A SLOW PROCESS
GOCHO The part of Community Lane going through
Streets are valuable spaces for the residents as Grogan has constant low activity and is
they often feel a powerful attachment to their perceived by the majority of the residents as
local street and use it for both private and public very unsafe. As in the other upgraded streets,
interaction.8 Visions for the future are highly new paving and lights have been installed.
dependent on individual priorities and how the Despite this, the street is still deserted and
programme personally affected the residents so residents from other villages fear to go there.
far. Concerns about the future also depend on the During the Socio Economic Survey, Grogan A
individual resident’s experiences of slum upgrad- and B were highlighted to be treated as specific
ing in a citywide context. cases due to the extreme security conditions
in the areas. However, the perception of inse-
FEAR OF RELOCATION
curity and the high level of criminal activities
Many residents, both tenants and structure appear to remain.
owners, have expressed a fear that once the area
upgrading starts they will not be guaranteed a SOFT AND HARD IMPLEMENTATIONS
place to stay, or they might be responsible for SHOULD BE COMBINED
friends and family who will be affected by this During weekends Community Lane in
process. This fear of an impending eviction has Grogan A & B is temporarily appropriated by
a destructive effect on the sense of belonging. youths roller skating. The street is transformed
Knowing that an area upgrading is waiting with children reclaiming and occupying the
around the corner might also decrease the streets and many people entering to take part
effort one puts into the structures connected of the event. People then walk the streets of
to the street. Grogan without fear, which demonstrates the
importance of creating platforms for activi-
FEAR OF GENTRIFICATION ties. The people make the place safe; when
Another concern among the residents is that people spend time in an area more people will
when the area will be upgraded, rents will accumulate.
rise and people will be forced to move. It is One of the major concerns associated with
noticeable that many of the residents knew the upgraded streets is the increased number
very little about the upgrading programme. of motorcycle accidents. The outcomes from
They are aware that something will happen the school workshop revealed that almost half
and construct an image of what they think of the children use Kamunde Road to go to
it will be. Transparency of the process and school. Children are a particularly vulnerable
information concerning the relocation seems group of users of the street and Kamunde
to have been lacking in the street upgrading Road is considered to be the busiest for traf-
programme. fic with a high amount of accidents. Residents
have tried to limit the speed of motor vehi-
7. STREETS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION TO
cles through the construction of speed bumps,
EVERYTHING
demonstrating the necessity of traffic-calming
The street upgrading has solved many issues in elements.
Korogocho but there are still problems that need According to the study there were no efforts
further attention. The street upgrading should for social cohesion when the streets were
continue and the outcomes should be studied in constructed. Some residents have stated that
more depth to understand how the area is develop- they were not acquainted with the use of
ing in order to identify what negative and positive streets and the children especially have had no
aspects the streets have generated in the long term. education in how to use the streets.
 119

KEY LESSONS FOR STREET UPGRADING

PROJECTS IN SLUMS
The key lessons from this study can underpin differently; women and children are more
street upgrading interventions in slums. vulnerable to insecure places and children are
often the victims in traffic accidents.
PARTICIPATION When using participatory strategies it is
To reach social sustainability in slum areas, it is essen- also important to consider the time of day
tial to include residents in the upgrading process. for meetings and how to spread information.
Many people are available at different times of
As streets in slum settings are largely resi- the day depending on the daily routines and
dential, participatory methods are the key to security. The participatory process opted for
finding sustainable solutions to the design and the strengthening of communication, trans-
implementation process. Different participa- parency and accountability when delegating
tion strategies are possible but a vital key is decision-making authority. It is also important
to include residents from all parts of the area, to advocate for flexibility on the regulatory
since they tend to use the streets for different framework in order to allow the adoption
purposes. Gender and age are also impor- of appropriate standards that participatory
tant to consider, as they use public spaces design solutions may require.
120

can generate protection from criminal actions

as criminals can be spotted and seen from
a distance. An open and clear street also
minimizes the number of hideouts used by
criminals. Streets as public places increase
the amount of people moving on the streets,
which also generates protection from criminal
activities.

MOBILITY
As part of the infrastructure system streets facili-
tate mobility within the area. Streets function
as links between destinations. Good access is
crucial for a slum settlement to feel included and
connected to a larger context.

Main entrances and important places such

as markets and hospitals need good access, as
they often play an essential role in the daily
life for many residents. Improved transpor-
tation can also make possible the creation of
new microeconomics, such as street vending,
and the import and export of goods is facili-
tated. Good overview, as well as clear signage
and orientation, enhances the perception of
mobility and access.
SAFETY MIXED USE
The safety of a street has many dimensions. Streets in slum settings have to accommodate
Primarily, streets have to be designed in such a many different kinds of transportation.
way that they accommodate all users of the street
and complicate criminal activities. The streets need to accommodate different uses
although pedestrians constitute the majority
Widened and paved streets facilitate high- of the flow in many slum areas. Pedestrians
speed traffic. Therefore it is important to should be prioritized in the layout as their
consider high-risk places where pedestrians are accessibility is the key for a sustainable, lively
more vulnerable, such as crossings, busy areas, street. Pavements on both sides of the streets
and streets in connection to schools and chil- facilitate the pedestrian flow and create hier-
dren activities. Zebra crossings, bumps and archies between pedestrian and motor traffic.
traffic division could accommodate protection
and slow down motor vehicles. Further, it is LIVEABILITY
important to consider what users will be in the One of the main roles of streets in slum settle-
streets - pedestrians, vehicles etc - to be able to ments is its significance as a vibrant public
create a design that is secure and successful. meeting place.
A well-organized street provides orienta-
tion and overview, components that increase The street is the place where democratic
the perceived safety. Overview and streetlights processes of the society take place, as well as
 121

optional and necessary activities. This function may be appropriated by dwellers unwilling to
of the streetscape becomes even more impor- move or adapt to new circumstances.
tant in slum areas where public open space is
scarce. A well-organized street has the prospect MAINTENANCE

Main Findings & Key Lessons

to accommodate functions which increase the Providing long-term maintenance in terms of
livelihood of an area. waste management, cleaning and repairing of the
streets in slum settlements can bring resilience.
THE EXISTING SOCIAL CONTEXT
It is key to develop the design of streets in slum Considering current values and includ-
settlements in relation to the situation prior to ing them in the design can achieve social,
the design. economic and environmental sustainability.
It is important to think of the street in slum
Through the studying of street patterns in settings as an organism carrying a variety of
terms of density, attraction points, functions different functions and values that should be
and activities it is possible to understand kept in the new design. By changing street
exciting places and values that are important patterns, new conceptions and functions are
to preserve. If the street is to accommodate a also created that will change the future for
wide variety of necessary activities and func- many of the residents. By maintaining, clean-
tions it has to be organized in relation to ing and repairing the streets those values can
existing social context found on site prior to be kept and resilience reached.
the layout.
FLEXIBILITY CHAPTER FIVE ENDNOTES
As streets in slum settlements make up one of 1. Gathuthi, C. et al. (2010). Korogocho socio-
economic survey report. Prepared by Participatory
the few open spaces, a large amount of different Training Promotions Institute.
groups operate on the streets at different times of 2. COHRE. (2006). Listening to the poor? Housing
the day. The streets need to be flexible to satisfy all rights in Nairobi, Kenya. Consultation Report,
Fact-Finding Mission to Nairobi, Kenya, Geneva,
needs and provide temporary structures as well as Switzerland: The Centre on Housing Rights and
permanent ones. Evictions (COHRE).
3. Navarro-Sertich, A. (2011). Favela Chic – a photo
essay. Berkeley Planning Journal, Volume 24, 2011
In a slum settlement, streets as public spaces p. 175-196, Hernandez, F. (2010) Beyond Modern-
tend to accommodate different functions and ist Masters: Contemporary Architecture in Latin
uses. The edge zones are used for activities America. New York: Springer.
4. Montgomery, M. R. (2003) Cities Transformed:
such as dwelling, vending, shopping, social Demographic Change and Its Implications in the
interactions, eating, parking and playing. A Developing World. Earthscan
flexible design could create flexible streets and 5. Staeheli, L.A. & Mitchell, D. (2008). The people’s
property? Power, politics, and the public. Oxon:
edge zone. During daytime, when traffic is
Routledge.
low, some places could be used as playgrounds 6. Kost, C. & Nohn, M. (2011). Better streets, better
or hangouts for residents, if they are provided cities - A guide to street design in urban India.
Institute for Transportation & Development Policy
with shadow and benches. In evening, when
and Environmental Planning Collaborative.
the streets are more crowded, this space might 7. Hamdi, N. & Majale, M. (2004). Partnerships in Ur-
be used by vendors and motorcycles. Some ban Planning. A guide for municipalities.Dataprint.
places could also be designed as central public 8. Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great
American Cities. London: Vintage Books.
places where people gather for information
meetings and other events. However, it is
important to understand the probable conse-
quence - that popular places along the streets
122

06:RECOMM
 123

ENDATIONS
 124
113

This section offers eleven recommendations for street upgrading practice.

Each recommendation will outline an issue that was encountered during
the study, elaborate on its causes and conclude by providing a number of
action-based recommendations. This chapter is aimed to be a practical
tool for policy makers; however, the content will be of interest to all
practitioners who are involved in slum upgrading processes.
 125

Recommendations
1 INTEGRATE STREETS WITH WIDER
UPGRADING PROGRAMMES
upgrading programmes are mainstreamed to
take on a citywide approach.
The city consists of multiple and complex
networks of processes. When these processes
are interlinked, the urban fabric will evolve
as more integrated, diverse and resilient.
Development initiatives should be flexible in
Streets should be looked upon as components character, allowing many alternative scenarios
of wider upgrading programmes. It is vital to for the urban future. Crosscutting platforms
think about upgrading processes not as single to form partnerships and networks between
interventions but as a continuum of broader, different initiatives, programmes, agencies and
inter-connected processes. The objective administrative units should be established.
should be to join the individual interventions, Horizontal and vertical communication
both within and across slums, to build a city- channels should be established to promote
wide approach to slum upgrading. collaboration between multiple stakehold-
Streets function as an entry point that facili- ers, both on the micro and macro levels. This
tates continuous improvements of an area but will enable coherent, long-term upgrading
if they are not connected to other parts of the processes that will improve the image of the
urban fabric and parallel programmes, they entire city and the life of all its residents.
will risk repeating the failures of past initia-
RECOMMENDED ACTION
tives. Hence, the goal of upgrading processes
should be to improve the situation in the t
Develop frameworks to enable the
project area but it is equally important to collaboration between different agencies,
prevent the formation of new slums through programmes and political levels
the establishment of partnerships and the t
Establish platforms for information
mainstreaming of objectives. It is unlikely that exchange
a city without slums, as stated in the Nairobi t
Evaluate the process and commu-
2030 Vision, will be possible unless slum nicate the lessons learned for future
implementations
126

2 PROMOTE SECURE TENURE WITH

STREETS AS AN ENTRY POINT
integration and mobility. Streets give names to
space and are an incitement to the establish-
ment of physical addresses, supporting place
attachment and identity.
Regularized property boundaries will also
support the definition of public and private
domains. Local authorities will benefit from
Streets facilitate new legal boundaries and, this since regularized property boundaries lays
importantly, they put down the basis for regu- the foundation of the physical and economic
larization of land tenure. Security of tenure can property registration that will enable the
stimulate private investment in one’s home, capture of property tax and users’ charges on
such as building improvements and rehabilita- infrastructure and public services.
tion, providing benefits to the overall urban
fabric and, incidentally, this can increase the RECOMMENDED ACTION
supply of new housing units with the addi- t
Make enumerations prior to any physical
tions of extra floors, rooms and apartments intervention
which can stem the growth of new slums. t
Ensure that costs and finance are
Furthermore, the improvement of streets kept within affordable ranges for all
plays an important role in the citizenship stakeholders
foundation for slum dwellers. Their exist- t
Emphasize an incremental process to
ence will be acknowledged in official maps, limit the shock of gentrification
and streets facilitate their connection to the t
Address and map ownership structures to
overall city infrastructure through increased promote security of tenure for all
 127

Recommendations
3 PROHIBIT FORCED EVICTIONS AND
FACILITATE RELOCATION
that stayed in the area for more than ten years
will be prioritized. The worst off are at risk
of being marginalized and more disempow-
ered. Security of tenure should extend beyond
the borders of the project area, to avoid the
creation of new slums and take the poorest
residents into consideration. Scarcity of suffi-
Forced evictions are illegal and should by no cient land for relocation may result in the
means be the consequence of a street upgrading rise of multi-family housing, creation of new
process. The provision of land for relocation, slums and the evolution of housing typologies
as well as housing construction, is one of the that contrasts the visions of a city-wide slum
key requirements when initiating a street upgrading initiative.
upgrading programme. In cases where there is
RECOMMENDED ACTION
no available land within the settlement, prox-
imity and connectivity to the former housing t
Prepare and make certain that there is
location is fundamental to avoid disturbance land available for relocation
of important social networks and livelihoods.1 t
Ensure that the relocation land is located
The Korogocho Slum Upgrading in proximity to the former area of
Programme completed the enumeration of residence
households before the construction of the t
Do not only provide land. Support people
roads started, providing stability and confi- in the whole relocation process, assist in
dence to the residents in acknowledging their building houses as sustainable invest-
status as residents in Korogocho. Although it ments for the future.
was agreed that structure owners and tenants
128

4 LET THE RESIDENTS OWN THE PROCESS

TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
CARE ABOUT THE PROJECT OUTCOME
remain silent or passively agree.4 Consequently,
strategies and tools to involve all stakeholders
are crucial for an inclusive participatory process.
A key question for participation in slum
upgrading is whether the development
activities will strengthen the position of the
residents. However, this question is rarely
The residents’ perceived level of participation in asked in decision-making processes.5 Focus is
the layout process of the streets influences how often put on physical outcomes and the reach-
they both convey and feel their attachments to ing of a specific development goal. This kind of
the intervention. Many residents in Korogocho process is short-term and stresses the objective
said they believed that the streets belong to the rather than the soft benefits of participation.
government and they themselves were unable Upgrading processes should be empowering,
to influence their function and layout. not merely housing or infrastructure delivery
This reflects the feeling of insufficient involve- mechanisms.6 A settlement and the people
ment in the process and the hindrance of the rigid who live in it have existed prior to a profes-
regulatory system related to spatial standards and sional intervention and will continue long after
design, which is often what pushes people towards that presence. It affirms that their knowledge
the informality. If the residents feel attached to the is critical to the processes of environmental
intervention it is more likely that they will feel a change and management.7 It is therefore key
higher level of responsibility in ensuring that the to establish and share programme principles at
project is maintained and does not degrade. This the beginning of a process, and ensure that the
will help in the long term and make the work stakeholders adhere to them.
perdurable after the project has ended. If the resi- RECOMMENDED ACTION
dents’ involvement in and care for their physical
t
Develop and use tools to address power
environment is reinforced it is also more probable
relations and hidden interests that ensure
that the benefits from the intervention will spill
involvement of affected stakeholders in the
over on other areas as it is more feasible that the
participation process
residents care for and improve other parts of their
t
Identify the less vocal groups in the commu-
physical environment.2
nity and make sure that they are addressed
Different stakeholders in the community of
t
Balance acupunctural interventions with
Korogocho form complex power relations with
long-term implementations: the community
conflicting interests. Participants will naturally be
needs results in order to invest their time
part of these relations, which can make it difficult to
t
Allow the participation process to take time,
participate fully, even when there is a wish to do so.3
the project outcome will benefit from it in
During consensus-building meetings, the
the long-term
most vulnerable individuals and groups tend to
 129

5
Recommendations
DEVELOP APPROPRIATE
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR
TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS
residents that do not take an active part in the
community should be identified and intro-
duced to the plans. If enough time is allowed
and knowledge generated to mentally prepare
the residents for changes and potential relo-
cations, the process will be more manageable
and rising conflicts will be avoided.9
Contextual communication channels are key RECOMMENDED ACTION
to reaching all stakeholders in an upgrad-
t
Develop and use tools to reach out to
ing process. Many residents of Korogocho
residents that do not actively take part in
felt that the process of the street upgrading
community activities. Information walks,
failed to communicate the different phases of
text message newsletters, flyers and local
the programme. This resulted in a feeling of
radio are useful channels.
instability and fear of eviction among the resi-
t
Identify and use available (neutral) public
dents. Based on the survey, the participatory
places and institutions as platforms of
framework of Korogocho Slum Upgrading
information, such as schools, streets,
Programme seems to have had limited success
hospitals and churches
in reaching out to all residents, hence alter-
t
Consider the temporal aspect when
native communication channels should have
staging participatory activities. Some
been considered.
stakeholder groups might not be available
Most participatory events and actions were
at certain times of the day.
held adjacent to Korogocho’s chief camp, a
very politically-loaded place. It is located in
one village, risking residents in the other seven
villages feeling excluded. Power relations asso-
ciated with a place can threaten to limit the
level of participation within an area.
Consequently, alternative methods should
focus on actively reaching out to different
stakeholders and on identifying neutral loca-
tions for dialogue. It is important to consider
the effect of the location on residents’ ability
and comfort in expressing values and opinions.8
Furthermore, the records from the partici-
patory planning process should be publicly
displayed on large sheets, in newsletters or
through other forums of communication. The
130

6 ACKNOWLEDGE THAT QUALITY

MATTERS
by development agencies. Quality of construc-
tion is often de-emphasized by the contractors,
particularly in settings where corruption is high
and supervision inadequate. Consequently, the
new facilities will rapidly deteriorate.12 Using
better quality reduces future maintenance
costs and is, if well managed, the cheaper solu-
Street paving has a symbolic value. The tion in the long-term.
perceived status of an area can change over- However, quality is not only connected to
night by adding street paving, since it will physical measures. It is equally important to
then be perceived as part of the formal or consider the perception of the residents and
what the intervention communicates to them.
developed part of the city.10 Paving the
In situations where the budget is limited,
streets creates a continuous and integrating
participation in the planning process is key
urban floor and is a symbolic acknowledge-
for the residents to understand the issues and
ment from the government of citizenship
limitations and give them ownership over
and inclusivity. However, the quality of the
the process. If the residents themselves are
paving carries another, sometimes conflict-
involved in making the priorities, the outcome
ing, symbolism. Many residents of Korogocho
of the project is likely to be received better.
have expressed a concern regarding the quality
of the streets, and they are worried that the RECOMMENDED ACTION
streets will degrade quickly. Furthermore, the t
Ensure that the best physical quality
residents consider the streets to be government possible is implemented
property and this reduces their attachment to t
Discuss design and quality issues and limi-
and ownership of the streets. tations with stakeholders, such as budget
The vision to integrate the slum with the and environmental issues, and come up
city through the connectivity of streets will fail with priorities and solutions together.
if there is no attention paid to the quality of t
Engage local labour. This creates local job
them. It is a gesture that communicates a lack opportunities, empowers the commu-
of care from the outside and strengthens the nity, brings attachment to the project
community’s negative perception of upgrading and lowers implementation costs (leav-
interventions. This might result in less attach- ing more resources for using high-quality
ment and identification with the streets.11 materials).
To keep slum-upgrading costs down, low
standards of infrastructure are often proposed
 131

7
Recommendations
IDENTIFY EXISTING SOCIAL
NETWORKS AND ACTIVITIES AND
RESPOND TO THEM IN THE LAYOUT

Slums often stand at bright contrast to the

modern city with their organic structures and
multi-functional use of space. Therefore, it is
important to elaborate more on the concept
of street upgrading to make it a sustainable
and reliable approach to slum upgrading, and
to avoid intentional misinterpretations from
The layout of the street in a slum upgrading policy-makers and politicians.
process should respond to the existing social The layout and design of the street should
networks and activities in the area. Streets are make appropriate connections to the surround-
important in sustaining economic activities ing areas in the urban fabric. A careful analysis
and meaningful in accentuating cultural diver- of the major public institutions, attraction
sity and self- and group-identity.13 Residents’ points, important functions and other desti-
attachment and values connected to a place nations that are part of the residents’ social
are important aspects of how they will care for infrastructure should be done early in the
the place, hence these bonds are important to process. Deep local knowledge, obtained by
consider in the layout process.14 Social networks intensive and permanent dialogues and anal-
are part of the social capital in slums and must ysis of local forces and conditions is crucial.
be integrated in any upgrading strategy. Break- Subsequently, the forces of the city such as
ing up social bonds or networks risks provoking networks, micro-forces of culture and the
conflicts, hence taking the existing into account forces of everyday life can be recognized and
is crucial for the project outcome. incorporated in the planning and design.16
Using the term ‘open’ is precarious in the RECOMMENDED ACTION
street upgrading discourse since ‘opening up’
t
Make a comprehensive situation analy-
often results in ‘straightening up’. This risks
sis of the existing social infrastructure in
demolishing micro-environments and cutting
the area, and use the streets as a link to
through organic structures and forms. Current
support and improve it
zoning and development control practice in
t
Identify existing spatial components
most urban areas of colonial origin still has an
in the area that function as boosters for
acutely modernist drive, highly influenced by
activity and urban life and build the inter-
northern and western development policies.
vention around these
A modern city norm, with geometric street
t
Identify hidden attraction points and
grids and crescents, is favoured but this is
destinations through meaningful dialogue
potentially at the cost of vibrant city diversity.15
and interaction with residents
132

8 DESIGN STREETS AS
NETWORKS OF PUBLIC SPACE
Streets have the opportunity to function as
networks of public space. Visual connections
within public space are important in order to
sustain the connectivity to one’s surroundings.
Streets designed with an angle, differences in
width and a heterogeneous form are more
appealing for people to spend time in and
hence are more likely to accommodate more
In order to generate successful urban areas, of the vital processes of urban life.18 The
it is crucial to think through the sequences, existing activities should be recognized and
proportions, relations and dimensions of the new layout should support their spatial
the public realm. Instead of thinking about requirements.
streets as links leading from point A to point
RECOMMENDED ACTION
B, designing an area around its streets should
incorporate other elements of a public realm t
Identify unobvious meeting places and
into the urban form such as meeting places space linkages through intensive dialogue
and areas for upholding optional activities.17 and interaction with residents
During the field study in Korogocho, street t
Involve the community in the design
corners were found to be public meeting of the public space connected to the
places, providing visual vantage points and streetscape
working as accumulators of activity. An analy- t
Ensure that the layout of the street
sis of how the street corners can be designed to provides pockets of public space that
sustain these activities should be studied in the is free for the residents to collectively
planning process. appropriate
133
133
130
13
1 30
134

9 DESIGN FLEXIBLE STREETS THAT

RESPOND TO MULTIPLE USES AND
TEMPORAL ASPECTS OF STREET LIFE
not sufficient, they will end up using the
space that was appointed to motor vehicles.
Consequently, clear hierarchies and divisions
between vehicles and pedestrians should be
defined, with the walking space dimensioned
to the number of users it will host.19 If the
available space does not allow for this divi-
sion, the residents must be carefully sensitized
The street has an important function as a to the concept of shared space. Shared space
meeting place, as a business place, as a play- is designed to improve pedestrian movement
ground and as a space for flows of capital, and comfort by reducing the dominance of
people and of vehicles. Particularly in slums, motor vehicles.20
where open space is often scarce, all these The streetscape should respond to the place’s
different functions must be considered to requirements of adjacent activities and functions.
make a sustainable street layout. The edge zones are used for several different
Different groups and cultures operate in the purposes and display the potential of providing
street at different times of the day and particular flexible uses of street space. Formalizing street
urban events claim space according to seasonal- vending may be seen as a means of poverty alle-
ity. To respond to all needs and activities that viation and it makes the space more vibrant,
the street is set out to accommodate so planners promotes social supervision and improves
have to be flexible in the layout. The streets of safety.21
Korogocho fail to respond to the multiple uses Successful urban areas accommodate
and users of the street with an increased number complex patterns of diversity, mixture and
of accidents and activities competing over economic grain. The essential condition for
space. Though, it is important to note that it achieving urbanity is to generate enough
takes time for residents to become accustomed diversity through the mixture of uses and
to new uses of streets. Hence educational exer- activities to be self-sustaining.22 Similarly, the
cises on how to use the street are appropriate to roller skaters that reclaim the streetscape every
improve the way the street is used. weekend provide another example of temporal
The upgraded streets of Korogocho are and flexible use of public space. These activi-
designed from the centreline and outwards, ties should be supported in the layout and
giving the priority to motorized vehicles. subsequent management of the street.
When the increasing number of vehicles has Strategic planning should shift its present focus
claimed street space, what is left over has to on product and spatial form towards process and
accommodate pedestrians, utilities, vending performance. This performance should allow
activities and social activities. All these compo- different ideals and functions to coexist to embrace
nents become competitors for space and when fluidity and struggle as inevitable and necessary
 135

Recommendations
aspects of urban environments. The future of the
area then becomes a realm of potentialities, one
of many alternative futures rather than one linear
and fixed.23 This approach reflects social accept-
ance, inclusion and urban resilience.
A street layout that acknowledges potential
future changes of the context will be better
prepared to host alternative uses. The life of
streets and urban areas is longer than the life of
individual buildings; equally, the life of build-
ings is longer than the life of their original
function. Therefore, the successful street is one
that offers built-in adaptability.24
RECOMMENDED ACTION
t
Make a comprehensive survey of exist-
ing traffic flows and activities early in
the layout process. This should identify
activities, temporal aspects and densities
of different uses in streets.
t
Educate the residents on how to use street
as part of the layout process. As children
are the most vulnerable group the schools
could be used as entry points.
t
Ensure that the street design responds to
the temporality of everyday urban life.
t
Work with, not against, the informal
in slums (activities, commerce, etc.).
Attempts to constrain and formalize the
informal are seldom successful in improv-
ing the lives of slum dwellers.
t
Allow for urbanity to remain a process,
create a flexible street design, one which it
is possible to modify according to upcom-
ing activities and change in conditions
t
Ensure that the place can accommodate
multiple uses. Plan for more than two uses.
136

10 MAKE COMPREHENSIVE STREET

DESIGNS, DON’T JUST LAY PAVING

motor traffic requires traffic calming elements

to ensure that the streets remain safe for pedes-
trians, the main users of the street.
The residents of Korogocho have already
started to implement these kinds of improve-
ments through the voluntary construction of
street bumps, which articulates this need in
the community. Traffic calming elements are
A street is much more than paving. The particularly important in locations where chil-
objective of upgrading should be to achieve dren are many, such as schools, playing fields
improvements in the overall quality of life, and so on. Physical measures such as bumps
not just physical improvements through in are often the most efficient way to improve
situ upgrading. So infrastructure, employment the safety of a street. However, signs are
opportunities, recreational spaces and environ- another important implementation not only
mental improvements should all be included in to promote security but also to enhance the
upgrading programmes.25 Only when the street sense of place and orientation within an area.29
environment incorporates both infrastructural When the residents are involved in the identi-
and social functions does it have the potential fication and staging of these areas, it expands
to grow as a motor of change in a community. the social implementations beyond physical
Infrastructural implementations include measures to include soft values such as educa-
integrated waste management systems, drain- tion and empowerment practices.
age, the implementation of streetlights and
electricity and the implementation of water RECOMMENDED ACTION
facilities. Social implementations should t
Sitting possibilities, climate protection and
include street furniture, signs and vegetation. street signs all support the livelihood of the
Sitting areas, shading, and the implementation street. They should be acknowledged as a
of vending stands, tables, permanent roofs crucial part of the layout and ‘street design’.
and water taps were all mentioned during the t
Consider physical components to ensure
study as improvement ideas from the resi- vital aspects of social life in the streets are
dents. They can make the local environment upheld
‘more human’26, can support the incremental t
Use the street as an entry point to improve
formalization of street vending and are key to physical conditions such as drainage, waste
improve the livelihood of the street.27 management, sewer lines, streetlights, elec-
Attention should also be paid to the safety tricity lines and access to basic services
of the street by promoting natural as well as t
Expand social implementations beyond
organized surveillance, by managing them physical measures to include soft values such
properly and by installing high-standard light- as education and empowerment practices
ing systems.28 Furthermore, the increased
 132
137

Recommendations
138

11 IT DOESN’T END HERE:

RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
MAINTENANCE

This might affect the attachment of a place

and raise awareness of maintenance issues.
However, it has been seen that neither the
community nor the government alone can
ensure the sustainable maintenance of infra-
structure - partnerships are needed. In this
process, the attribution of clear roles and
When the upgrading project is implemented responsibilities is key together with sensitiza-
the area will keep evolving; urban space is a tion, capacity development and building a
network of never-ending processes. Conse- sense of ownership.
quently, it is crucial to look at upgrading Shared responsibility is likely to strengthen
processes as long-term interventions and to the relation between the involved partners.32
introduce maintenance plans when the physical Operation and maintenance are key factors in
implementation is done. Otherwise, the imple- determining residents’ satisfaction with urban
mentation stands at risk to degrade quickly and services and public space, which in turn will
soon the area will stand where it started before lead to better governance.33
the upgrading. The streets of Korogocho faced RECOMMENDED ACTION
a primary street upgrading in 1987.30 When
t
Keep maintenance in mind during the
the Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme
street layout and planning process. This
started in 2007 much of the space that had
should ensure a street design that responds
been reserved for the streets back in 1987 had
to an appropriate level of maintenance.
been re-appropriated by the residents.
t
Develop long-term maintenance plans in
While there are many reasons for a lack of
conjunction with the residents and define
maintenance, financing appears to be the most
clear roles and responsibilities
prominent while municipalities and utility
t
Establish partnerships between the
companies are also not providing the services
community and the government to imple-
needed.31 Hence, there has been a search
ment sustainable management plans
for alternatives such as community-based
t
Monitor and evaluate maintenance plans
approaches. The users of the streets should
and adjust accordingly before interven-
be encouraged to ensure that they are kept in
tions are beyond repair.
good condition.
 139

CHAPTER SIX ENDNOTES

17. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity,
1. UN-HABITAT. (Unpublished 2011). Streets as Pillars
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban
of Urban Transformation: A UN-HABITAT approach
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998.
to Participatory Street-led Citywide Slum Upgrading.
18. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using public
UN-HABITAT: Working Paper 1 Nairobi, August

Recommendations
space. 6. ed. København: The Danish Architectural
2011
Press.
2. Relph, E. (1976). Place and Placelessness. London:
19. Gehl, J. (2006). Life between buildings: using public
Pion.
space. 6. ed. København: The Danish Architectural
3. Pain, R. (2004). Social geography: Participatory
Press.
research. In: Progress in Human Geography 28.5
20. The Department of Transport, (2011) Local
2004 pp. 652–663
Transport Note 1/11 Shared Space. London:TCO
4. Hamdi, N. & Majale, M. (2004). Partnerships
21. Kost, C. & Nohn, M. (2011). Better streets, better
in Urban Planning. A guide for municipalities.
cities - A guide to street design in urban India.
Dataprint.
Institute for Transportation & Development Policy
5. Alsop, R. (2005). Power, rights, and poverty:
and Environmental Planning Collaborative.
Concepts and Connections. World bank.
22. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity,
6. Simon, D. (1999). Rethinking cities, sustainability,
vitality and urban design. In: Journal of Urban
and development in Africa. In: Sacred spaces and
Design, Vol. 3, No.1, 1998.
public quarrels. Eritrea: Africa Word Press.
23. Gunder, M & Hillier, J. (2004) Conforming to
7. Shibley, R. & Schneekloth, L. (1995). “Introduction”
the Expectations of the Profession: A Lacanian
in Placemaking: The Art and Practice of building
perspective on Planning Practice Vol 5, No. 2, pp
Communities. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
217-235
Pp.1-18.
24. Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity,
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140

Successful urban places are based predomi-

nately on streets and the connected street
life. Streets serve as democratic, open public
space and as platforms for economic and
social development. Therefore, streets play a
fundamental role for the public life in cities,
and particularly in slums where open space is
scarce.

This report explores the role and potentials

of streets in slum upgrading, using the street
upgrading project in the Korogocho slum in
Nairobi, Kenya as a case study. It focuses on
the experiences and perceptions of the resi-
dents in Korogocho, and the changes ‘on the
ground’.

HS/075/12E
ISBN:978-92-1-132489-1

United Nations Human Settlements

Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2012
P.O. Box 30030 00100 Nairobi GPO KENYA
Tel: 254-020-7623120 (Central Office)
Habitat.publications@unhabitat.org

Printed in Nairobi

www.unhabitat.org