As part of a team from Columbia University’s urban planning department, I worked in Nairobi with the University of Nairobi Department of Urban and Regional Planning to develop plans for the peri-urban satellite town of Ruiru. A transitional area between urban and rural, Ruiru is experiencing fast, unplanned growth with inadequate infrastructure in one of the fastest growing areas in the world. We worked with local residents, community leaders, urban professionals, and local government to define the current trends, challenges, and opportunities. Through ethnography field research, community surveys, expert interviews, mapping, and air quality testing, we examined the area in terms of economy, transportation, health, governance, and land use. We presented to local government with consequences of current trends, potential scenarios, and strategic recommendations. The plans were adopted by the Municipal Council of Ruiru and the project continues on at the Center for Sustainable Urban Development at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. 2006.
Team: Monica Bansal, Alyssa Boyer, Candy Chang, Kay Cheng, Leticia Crispin, Reuel Daniels, Jen Graeff, Beth Helton, Lily Langlois, Ryan Walsh, Eleanne van Vliet. Faculty & support: Eliott Sclar, Sumila Gulyani, Christie Marcella, Sigurd Grava, Julie Touber, Nicole Volavka, Patrick Kinney, Mike Reilly, Peter Ngau, Musyimi Mbathi, University of Nairobi Department of Urban and Regional Planning
3′ x 10′ project poster, designed by Candy. View pdf of poster
