How do you plan for one of the fastest growing areas in the world? As part of a team from Columbia University, Candy worked in Nairobi with the University of Nairobi’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning to exchange knowledge and help develop plans for metropolitan Nairobi. A transitional area between urban and rural, Ruiru is a peri-urban satellite town experiencing fast, unplanned growth without adequate infrastructure. People are getting sick from the dusty roads, poorly-positioned landfills are contaminating the water, and industry is quickly encroaching on limited areas of rich agricultural land. They worked with local residents, community leaders, urban professionals, and local government to define the current trends, challenges, and opportunities. Through ethnographic field research, community surveys, expert interviews, mapping, and air quality testing, they examined the area in terms of economy, transportation, health, governance, and land use. They presented long-term consequences and potential scenarios to the Municipal Council of Ruiru, and the strategic recommendations are now part of the Ruiru Local Physical Development Plan: 2005-2020. The project continues at the Center for Sustainable Urban Development at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. 2006.

Team: Peter Ngau, Musyimi Mbathi, University of Nairobi Department of Urban and Regional Planning, 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

Screenshots of mid-presentation. View pdf

3′ x 10′ project poster. View pdf