By Mairura Omwenga
A look at city towns and urban centres in Kenya shows that the country is faced with a serious problem of uncontrolled and unplanned growth and development.
This has led to poor and inadequate development of housing, manufacturing industry, commerce, transportation and infrastructure services. Towns and the countryside are facing serious environmental pollution and degradation.
Aerial view of Nairobi City. The Government needs to prioritise planning to avoid haphazard developments. [Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard] |
Cities and towns have no updated long-term development plans yet major road transport and infrastructure works are being undertaken. To make it worse, Kenya has never prepared national physical and spatial development plan.
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This position is, however, set to change, thanks to the efforts of the Government, the International Society of City and Regional Planners (Isocarp) of the Hague, Netherlands, Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and Town and Country Planners Association of Kenya.
This 47th Isocarp International Congress was held in China on October 24-28, this year. During the congress, Kenya was represented by Lands Minister James Orengo, Housing Minister Soita Shitanda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands Dorothy Angote Muya and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development Philip Sika.
During the congress, the Government signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Isocarp. The MOUs are aimed at improving planning and development of metropolitan regions, cities and towns in Kenya.
As one of the start-up activities to improve town and country planning, Kenya will mark the World Town Planning Day next week Tuesday on November 8 at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
The focus of this day is planning and development potential and challenges facing world metropolitan regions, cities and towns.
The Isocarp and AAK Town Planners Chapter, will lead a series of activities at KICC. The function will also be attended by representatives from various ministries, local authorities and the private sector.
Topical issues
According to Mairura Omwenga, coordinator of Isocarp Africa region, the theme of the day is focused on sustainable towns in the context of the new Constitution of Kenya and Vision 2030.
During the World Town Planning Day, delegates will address a number of key topical issues including:
•The Constitution of Kenya and provisions for town, county and national planning.
•Planning and development of sustainable metropolitan regions, cities and towns.
•Governance and institutional systems in towns and counties
•Housing policy and development.
•Transportation and infrastructure development.
•Smart and intelligent cities.
•Green energy supply.
•Improvement of the city and town environment.
The Government must now put planning at the forefront in the development agenda. It must allocate sufficient funds in its national and county budget.
It is estimated that Kenya needs about Sh200 million to Sh500 million annually to prepare the required town, county and national development plans to guarantee sustainable development as envisioned in Vision 2030 and the new Constitution.
The writer is the chairman of Architectural Association of Kenya Town Planners Chapter and Coordinator Isocarp Africa Region.
