COLLABORATIVE POLICY STUDIO 2012/2013 Nairobi Studio

UIPNews is a publication of Center for Urban Research and Innovations situated at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Nairobi

January – June 2013

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CURI is based at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Nairobi and is facilitated with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation.

NEWS EVENTS FEATURES STUDIO COMMENTARIES LETTERSNEWS EVENTS FEATURES STUDIO COMMENTARIES LETTERS Centre for Urban

Research and Innovations

Studio team at the Kibera Soweto East upgrading site

The University of Nairobi together with a number of partners (University of California Berkeley (UCB), Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT), Slum Dwellers International (SDI), Muungano Support Trust (MuST), Pamoja Trust (PT), UN-HABITAT) have over the years engaged in collaborative research and participatory planning which has seen the production of various negotiated community-led informal settlement upgrading plans. Work among the partners is carried out through action research, experiential learning and case study implementation of plans and proposals. Past plans have either focused on village by village or settlement by settlement initiatives. The ongoing policy formulation process by the Ministry of Housing now Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development therefore has provided a chance to this partnership to share lessons learnt over the years to inform the formulation of integrated municipal, county and national-scale slum upgrading policies.

Every two years UC Berkeley and University of Nairobi hold Studios which are meant to expose students

MUKURU KWA NJENGA UPGRADING PROJECT

COMMUNITY TRAINING (STDM)

PANEL SEMINAR ON ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN THE CITY

GRADUATING CLASS 2013 END OF YEAR DINNER

from various disciplines to real world planning issues as well as link planning theory and research to

practice. The theme of the studios is always informed by ongoing collaboration works of the University, and the civil societies. The Universities-Civil Society collaboration has been in existence for more than 5 years and has seen the production of various slum upgrading plans. The current policy studio seeks to contribute to the ongoing policy formulation process and especially to the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Policy (NSUPP) and Land Eviction and Resettlement Bill by drawing from past studios and informal settlement works.

The studio aimed at ensuring that the needs and knowledge of slum dwellers, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are reflected in new national, county and municipal policies by providing a stakeholder dialogue/forum/seminar to share ideas and lessons with relevant government and slum policy formulation agencies as well as

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Mukuru kwa Njenga

THE CASE OF MUKURU KWA NJENGA, NAIROBI, KENYAInformal settlements are essential part of the developing city that play an important role on the whole system, enclosing a flexible spatial and social order and a vibrant life far from the formal urban structures. Looking at the urban scale the spatial dimension, urban growth and dynamics of urban transformation in slums have been fields of study among urban planners, geographers and architects especially in Latin America and Asia. However, at a human scale the use of the space in slums and the interaction between space and society has not been paid enough attention.

The current study develops a multidimensional tool of analysis that compiles different theoretical approaches about the use of the space and an overview that supports the understanding of how the space is produced and used in the self-organized places called informal settlements. The main framework for the empirical analysis is built over Lefebvre works, and incorporates other approaches (Gans, Harvey, Rapoport, DeCerteau) in a parallel way, as well as the contributions that scholars have brought to the field of space in informal settlements.

This article feeds from various experiences in different regions in order to culminate with the study of the use of the space and place in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi as representative of the African Region. The case of study takes as a starting point the work developed by the Centre of Urban Research and Innovations (CURI) and partners, the Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slum Upgrading Project, where a comprehensive study on the economic, social, physical and environmental situation in the settlement was carried out between July and December 2012.

This study is motivated by the belief that a big urban and socio economic potential is enclosed in informal settlements. A better understanding the socio-spatial dimension of the use of the space in informal settlements

THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF SPACE AND PLACE IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

could help to understand the potentialities of slums as urban players and formulate urban policies and slum upgrading programs closer to the real socio-spatial needs of slum dwellers thus contribute to the successful inclusion of slums in the city dynamics.

by Zeltia Gonzalez

provide support and feedback to the formulation and implementation of the ongoing National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Policy (NSUPP) and Land Eviction and Resettlement Bill.

The studio team (from UC Berkeley and University of Nairobi) together with partners held series of stakeholder meetings to help define specific areas of involvement and contribution. A joint partner’s workshop was held in April in University of California Berkeley to share outputs of the policy studio and seminar process. The policy studio was to run until May 2013 and based on the stakeholder agreement culminate in: a jointly issued memo or policy analysis with recommendations to relevant ministries, a social media campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the policy process, pilot implementation plans for specific informal settlements, municipalities or counties, and/or a curriculum to train professional planners in the implementation of the new policies.

by Philip Olale

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Huruma community members during the STDM training, Nairobi Kenya.

Over time, various pieces of legislation and policy have been legislated in view to streamline aspects of accessibility in terms of equity and equality in reference to land. Some like the National Land Policy of 2009 formed a critical reference point for the Kenya Constitution (2010) which now provides under Article 60 sub- article 1 that land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable, and in accordance with a number of principles including equitable access to land; security of land rights; and transparent and cost effective administration of land. This excerpt argues that for the realization of the constitutional provisions in reference to the majority poor in the country and especially the urban poor living in informal settlements, policy should move towards more inclusive and innovative land tenure and administration systems that do not discriminate the poor based on either cost, bureaucratic and lengthy legalities just to mention a few. Moreover, it is argued that conventional land tenure and administration systems hitherto used in Kenya to facilitate access and ownership of land are not sustainable nor are they effective in addressing the issue of informal settlements.

Various case studies have therefore been presented in this study to illustrate what works and what does not work in facilitating security of tenure in

LAND TENURE AND ADMINISTRATION IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN KENYA: Making a Case for Pro-Poor Land Accessibility

COMMUNITY TRAINING ON THE SOCIAL TENURE DOMAIN MODEL (STDM) Organized by Pamoja Trust and UN-Habitat at Huruma NCCK Hall

This article is an excerpt from a paper by Prof. Peter Ngau & Mr. Olale Philip. Both are members of technical team advising and spearheading

the LAND TENURE AND ADMINISTRATION thematic team in the prepara-tion of the National Slum Upgrading and (Prevention) Policy. The team

is mandated to among others: carry out a baseline survey of the types of tenure systems in informal settlements; identify the chal- lenges/

insecurities and the impacts of the current tenure systems in informal settlements on the economic, social and cultural aspects of the lives of residents of informal settlements; establish the current interventions to

regularize and ensure tenure security in informal settlements; discuss and suggest suitable tenure options for informal settlements. This paper therefore seeks to be among the various sources of information towards

the preparation of NSUPP

informal settlements. Security of tenure and lack of it therefore has proved to be a major impediment to initiatives towards informal settlement upgrading and prevention. If the poor have to access land, conventional land tenure and administration systems must be reviewed; a more flexible, cost-effective and ‘scenario specific’ based system be adopted. Pro-poor land tenure should form basis of ongoing National Slum Upgrading and (Prevention) Policy preparation among other land law implementation initiatives.

by Philip Olale

On the 14th of February 2013, Pamoja Trust in collaboration with UN-Habitat organized a community training session on the operations of the Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM) software. This was in preparation for the intended piloting of the prototype in Kenya. STDM is a multi-partner software development initiative to support pro-poor land administration. This model describes relationships between people and land in unconventional manner as it tackles land administration needs in hitherto neglected communities such as people in informal settlements and customary areas. It supports development and maintenance of records in areas where regular or formal registration of land rights is not the rule. It focuses on land and property rights, which are neither registered nor register-able, as well as overlapping claims, that may have to be adjudicated both in terms of the ‘who’, the ‘where’ and the ‘what’ right.

It therefore provides the much needed innovative system of administering informal rights such as occupancy, adverse possession, tenancy, use rights, customary rights, indigenous tenure, etc. it is a positive step towards development of pro-poor land management tools, to address the technical gaps associated with unregistered land, the upgrading of slums, and urban and rural land management thus providing alternative for the hitherto conventional land tenure and administration systems which have proved to be disadvantageous to the poor due to their lengthy, expensive and bureaucratic nature.

During the training the community representatives present were taken through the various components of the software. The software has about seven modules including enumeration, project area, structure details, household details etc. the community was also taken through the potential benefits of the STDM which has already been piloted in Uganda.

by Olale Philip

1 (Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), facilitated by UN-HABITAT and funded by Norway and Sweden, is a coalition of international partners, including FIG - the International Federation of Surveyors, ITC - University of Twente, Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, The Netherlands, and the World Bank)

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Architect Berend (left) presenting one of ArchiAfrica’s publications to Prof. Anyamba (Dean SBE)

PANEL SEMINAR ON ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN THE CITYADD Building School of the Built Environment

On Thursday 18th April 2013 the Centre for Urban Research and Innovations (CURI) in collaboration with the School of the Built Environment hosted a panel seminar on art and architecture in the city. Key speakers included Kathleen Louw of the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels (Belgium), architect Heinrich Wolff (South Africa), Joy Mboya Director Arts Centre Director (Kenya), Joe Addo Director ArchiAfrika network (Ghana) and architect Berend van der Lans from African Architecture Matters (Amsterdam). The team which was part of a delegation attending the UN-Habitat’s 24th session of the Governing Council, engaged members of faculty and students drawn from all the departments in the School of Built Environment, School of Arts and Design and visiting students from Kenyatta University in a presentation whose theme was ‘art and architecture for inclusive and sustainable urban development in Africa’. The presentations centered on the role of artists and architects of the city as it is they who feel the pulse of a city’s evolving cultures, identities and movements. Their input therefore in urban planning was considered essential in today’s African cities which are faced by unprecedented growth among other challenges. It further emerged that professionals in charge of shaping the urban form in African cities have tended to ‘copy and paste’ designs and concepts from other jurisdictions and cultures. This scenario was considered unsustainable and therefore not proper for shaping African cities. Giving emphasis to this argument, Joe Addo took the audience through the design of his own house which he used local materials to build.Another key presentation was by Berend van der Lans who also gave a presentation on behalf of Heinrich Wolff. Wolff works presented are based in South Africa. He is more concerned with the role architects can play to contribute to the outcomes of social change. Wolff sees five important elements in social change, which he aims to address in his work: Development of freedom - extending the freedoms of the individual, through architecture and the building process; Environmental responsibility - environmental change as an essential component of social change. Local building materials, locally sourced and with a minimal environmental footprint are used, while aspects such as optimized daylight, entry, orientation of buildings, water collection and other techniques

are implemented; Perpetuation of the values of dignity, equality and freedom of expression through architecture - overturning the differential treatment of people in spatial practices; Contribution to a more labour-absorbent economy - awareness of the potential of architecture for local skills development and job creation; and City as an open and all-inclusive domain. Berend’s presentation’s cardinal message was on the need for a new paradigm to be defined and that top down urban master planning is no longer the answer to the challenges at stake. He argued that inclusive thinking is increasingly seen as the key to sustainable urbanism, with a role for communities, social and cultural actors, as well as private investors which ultimately contributes to a balanced and inclusive growth model with a broad ownership.To crown the day’s presentations, Joy Mboya presented an ongoing project by the GoDown Arts Centre Nairobi. Through looking at a vital pedestrian link from the GoDown to the City Centre and a circuit also starting at the arts centre, the GoDown in collaboration with White Architects from Sweden, have since 2010 been carrying out case-studies testing integrated planning in the city. In an intense series of actions under the umbrella of ‘Nai ni Who? (slang for Who is Nairobi?)’, GoDown is developing community generated programmes for 2013, including talks, performances, exhibition tours, markets and mapping, to generate a good base for the creation of a people-centered urban zone, offering safe and inclusive public spaces and mixed use developments.

by Olale Philip.

During the day long interaction with the panelists, a number of op-portunities for future collaborations were discussed. During a meeting

with the Dean of School of Built Environment, Joe Addo who is Director of ArchiAfrica expressed interest in including the School in their network.

In a separate meeting with the Director School of Arts and Design, another potential collaboration with the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts was

discussed.

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Students during the ‘Kenya are beautiful” campaign

‘BADILIQA’ PROJECT BY UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI’S COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING (C.A.E) PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATIONS

The moral peace and patriotism project‘BADILIQA’was incepted by the Planning Students Association (PLASA) in collaboration with other departments of the University of Nairobi’s College of Architecture and Engineering (C.A.E) namely Construction and Real Estate Students Association (CRESA), Engineering Students Association (ESA), Architectural Students Association (ASA) & Design Students Association (DSA) as well as Serving a Living Transformer (SALT) and Main Campus Christian Union (MCCU). The various student bodies officially came together on 29th November 2012 where they decided to take a very active role in addressing the numerous issues that face not only their university, but also the country at large.This was to be achieved through organization of peace initiatives and activities within and around campus. The main objective was to enlighten the students that PEACE begins with us and can be realized in our everyday activity; that they can make a long lasting impact to the society and above all in their lives in and out of campus. The main motto of service being: “To reach within and embrace humanity” beginning with professionals of Engineering and the Built Environment.This initiative started from 29th November, 2012 to 22nd February, 2013. First, there was the launch of the event at ADD building, University of Nairobi on 20th December 2012. On this day, the main aim was to appreciate the students’ talent within the College of Architecture and Engineering. This included presentations by the students and reach-outs through music, spoken word, live performances and culminated with an introduction to the student fraternity on the BADILIQA initiative.A photo campaign was then conducted. This was done through partnerships with “I am Kenyan” and “Umeclick?” communities. These partnerships were realized through Rotary in collaboration with the Rotaract Club University of Nairobi. During this time, the students participated in collecting one million (1,000,000) Peace signatures around Nairobi. They reached out to fellow students in different institutions: Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Mount Kenya University and Zetech College. They also

reached out to corporate individuals through the assistance of Rotary to request them to support the peace initiative by being part of the million signatures.BADILIQA organized photo shoots around the city of Nairobi with members of the public through “Kenyans are beautiful” campaign. The aim of this was for every individual to have an opportunity to meet, to appreciate themselves and the people next to them. This would avert any hatred and foster love and appreciation for one another. This was captured around campus and the Central Business District, (CBD).On the 22nd February, 2013, we organized the “PAMOJA WAKENYA” Peace Concert. In the morning, we conducted a flash mob along Uhuru Highway for 30 minutes. The purpose of the flash mob was to emphasize to the students and the public that, just as we had chosen to embrace peace, they too should do the same. In the evening, we had the concert at ADD Building, University of Nairobi. The students showcased various talents through: art work, fashion show, spoken word and music with the theme peace in line with the PAMOJA WAKENYA event. On the 01/03/2013, some representatives were invited to the British High Commissioner’s residence. The aim of the visit was to present the initiative by the students to embrace peace by being part of the change we want to see in Kenya. This initiative has not come to a close. BADILIQA wishes to progress further and make a longer lasting impact to the society. Although we started this initiative at our college level, CAE, we wish to share the same with the University fraternity to make it better for all. This can be achieved since: “To make a difference in the world is to realize that even the smallest of actions can create change.”Finally, BADILIQA wishes to appreciate the University staff through the College of Architecture and Engineering for the assistance they have received this far, sincerest gratitude is especially given to the Dean School of Built Environment, Dean School of Engineering and Prof. Peter M Ngau, Director Centre for Urban Research and Innovations for their counsel and support through these events and activities.

by Sally Musonye

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Workshop participants following the presentation (2013)

DRAFT POLICY PAPER PRESENTATION: National Development Control Authority for effective Implementation and Enforcement of Development Control Tools

In 2010 the Architectural Association of Kenya with funding from Business Advocacy Fund (BAF) commissioned a study on the development control framework in Kenya with a view of adopting the recommendations to inform its advocacy activities. The study aimed at analyzing the existing development control frameworks in the country, the technical capacities and procedures in Local Authorities and other related agencies. This included a critical analysis of the process of development control and management; supervision and inspection of building projects in relation to statutory requirements and regulation and human technical capacity in relation to the overall standards and safety of the built environment. The team was also to look into best practices locally and internationally and develop policy recommendations for adoption by the local authorities. The study was spearheaded by Prof Robert Rukwaro (an associate at Waaki Associates and Professor of Architecture and Building Science University of Nairobi, Nairobi Kenya).Among the research proposals put forth included the development of an interdepartmental agency to coordinate the various departments dealing with the built environment and establishment of a National Development Control Authority. The interdepartmental agency was to be a one-stop-shop where developers get all services related to building and development while a National Development Authority was to oversee development control in the whole country as well as develop capacity for development control in areas of tools and personnel. This model was related to the South African’s Council of Built environment which integrates all players in the built environment and undertakes development control matters. Proposal 2 of development of the National Development Control Authority was adopted as the best option for implementation. The draft Policy Paper Presentation was the 1st step in the implementation of an effective National Development Authority in Kenya. The next steps include (1) Preparation of final draft of policy position paper, (2) Tabling this position paper to the government to address development control issues, (3) Developing national development control policy, (4) Developing the National Development Control Authority bill for operationalization, (5) Lobbying for a national advisory committee to drive the establishment of the Authority, (6) Obtaining comments from the stakeholders, exploring different

scenarios and determining the structure of the Authority within the national policy framework, (7) Taking bill to cabinet, drafted by Attorney General and debated by the Parliament and (8) signed by the President and Setting up operational structure and commissioning the AuthorityThe full report on Development Control Framework in Kenya can be found in the below link www.businessadvocacy.org/dloads/rr%20aakDCFfull.pd

by Jacinta M Mbilo

URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNER CAREER A career in urban and regional planning enables such a professional develop comprehensive plans and programs relating to land and physical facilities of local jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. Some of the titles adopted by planners include: Town Planner, City Planner, Urban and Regional Planner, Physical Planner etc. Urban planning is a technical and political process concerned with the control of the use of land and design of the urban environment, including transportation networks, to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities. It concerns itself with research and analysis, strategic thinking, architecture and urban design, public consultation, policy recommendations, implementation and management.Urban and regional planning profession has various specializations including; Land Use Planning - land use planners work on long-range comprehensiveplans which are designed to coordinate all the important activities in which acommunity engages–housing, recreation, transportation, and so forth.Environmental Planning - Environmental planners work to enhance the physical environment and minimize the adverse impacts of development

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DURP staff and graduating class of 2013 during the dinner.

First years’ orientation 2013/2014

GRADUATING CLASS 2013 END OF YEAR DINNER

New Start: The 3rd Double Academic Intake

The “leavers” end-of-year dinner brings together graduating students in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Practicing Planners (Public and Private sector), relevant professional bodies, university Alumni and Staff. This year was not an exception; on 7th June 2013 the graduating class dinner was held in the Nairobi Safari Club Hotel under the auspices of the Centre for Urban Research and Innovations, the Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), and university alumni, to mention but a few. The event was graced by among others Dr. Isaac Mwangi (Chairman, Kenya Institute of Planners), Prof Peter Ngau (Director, Centre for Urban Research and Innovations), Mr. Mairura Omwenga (Chairman, Architectural Association of Kenya, Town Planners Chapter), Prof George Ngugi, (Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, UoN), Mr. Zachariah Maleche, Arch.

2012/2013 academic year saw the University of Nairobi joint other public universities in Kenya in admitting 2 batches of freshman students. The double intake- plan hatched by the Ministry of Education and the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) in 2011 sought to clear a backlog of 40,000 students qualified and awaiting to enroll in the universities. In October last year (2012/2013 academic year) the university admitted the 1st batch of freshmen and second in May

Charles Karisa, DURP alumni Olale Philip, and Jacinta M. Mbilo among others. Discussions on opportunities for professional practice, career progression, and development dynamics took the centre stage with the graduating class being encouraged to not only stop at the graduate level but aim higher and change the face of planning in the country/counties. The graduating class was advised to be conscious of the restructuring in governance towards devolution, and not to be caught unawares by the transformations that come with it.After the insightful discussions the team was treated to Safari Club’s finest delicacies and Kayamba Africa’s melodious entertainment throughout the night.

by Jacinta M Mbilo

2013. May 10th 2013 intake (2012/ 2013 academic year) was the third double university intake after the failed first and second intakes attempts in 1986/87 and 1990/91 academic years respectively.The School of the Built environment which houses the Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture and Building Science and Real Estate and Construction Management was a beehive of activities as they admitted the freshmen to the respective courses. As is the tradition the students were received by the respective departmental heads and continuing students (students’ associations) who oriented them to the university’s customs and more still on the degree programmes they had chosen to pursue. The total admission to the school was 400 students a slight increase from the previous (350) intake admission. The Departments that recorded increase numbers were the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Department of Architecture and Building Science. The increase in numbers in both of these courses was highly attributed to the now changing national governance structure and development prospects in the country, region and Africa as a whole.The University, school, departments and Centre for Urban Research and Innovations shares the same vision of promoting skill development in the country and world at large, the double intake initiative promotes this and continues to build the human capacity in the country

byJacinta M Mbilo & Olale Philip

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CONTACT: Center for Urban Research and Innovations • P.O Box 30197 -00100, NAIROBI,KENYA •TEL. 254-722 658 781Email: curi@uonbi.ac.ke • Website: www.centreurbaninnovations.com/ www.uonbi.ac.ke

Design, Layout & Printing: RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL

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TOWARDS INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF PARTICIPATORY DESIGN IN KENYA Participatory approach has been embraced and advocated for in many facets of planning, but among the least explored is urban design. Yet research has widely indicated that embracing of participatory design encourages cultural appropriateness of space, creation of personal urban environments, provision of correct assumptions about client’s needs, and ownership of space. It is widely believed that when end-users work as co-producers of the environments that they would ultimately use, then such participation would result in environments that better serve them. Participatory design attempts to steer a course between participants’ tacit knowledge and a more abstract, analytical understanding. The proponents of participatory design believed that politically and ethically, the two types of knowledge must be bridged, with each being valued by all involved in the process. To this end participatory design is as much about producing sustainable products, as it is about producing functional organizational structures.Participatory design is a negotiated process that sees the convergence of citizens, technical designers, policy makers, and implementers. It means that various actors in different knowledge domains participate in this process; this should be seen more as an opportunity than a constraint. It calls for mutual exchange and skills transfer. The fact that design has many domains derived from various entities’ desire makes it a political process hence the necessity for a rationale for stakeholders’ participation that is beyond the ethnical issue of involving users in decisions that affect them and the practical issue of tapping into users’ extensive domain knowledge. Thus, the issue of power is key to this process and it suffices to say that power sharing is prerequisite for participatory design. With the ongoing decentralization efforts in government, the institutional space for direct citizen participation has become more necessary than ever before. It is understood that this will ensure the collective production of solutions across all levels of engagement Designs in their own cannot deliver valuable transformation; instead it is their wide acceptation and practice. Many a time the products of participatory design

do not prevail beyond the community process, ending up being registered intensions and desires of citizens. The accompaniment of these visions with clear commitment of different entities in positions to initiate implementation remains a big challenge in participatory design. This is largely due to non-aligned programmes, priorities, and targets of such parties despite the convergence of purpose. Sadly, the various potentials of these actors remain trapped in the confines of their organizations. The weak link between these organizations and the citizens adds to the problem. Thus participatory design as an urban transformation approach needs to be scaled up from the micro-level of individuals and communities to the macro-level of institutions and organizations.There is, therefore, the need to streamline the participatory design process in order to rid it of these bottlenecks. Of high importance is the institutional legitimization of the process so as it can be endorsed and adopted across all parties involved with equal resolve. This research paper will seek to collect and present information on the situation of participatory design approach across relevant actors in the government, research, private, civil society, and community sectors. This study will be conducted in five municipalities that have engaged in participatory design initiatives in the last ten years. Data will be collected through review of participatory design project documents that the sampled organizations were involved in as well as interviews with key informants, seeking to articulate the areas of success as well as the challenges and possible actions towards an integrated operational framework. The ultimate goal is to synthesize an integrated institutional framework for operationalization of participatory urban design in Kenya. This framework is intended for use in any situation in which space is being designed. It will enable those who provide the space, those to use it, those to facilitate its transformation as well as those who will be affected by it to be involved in the design process.

by Karisa C.D

Transportation and Infrastructure Planning - Transportation planners help develop programs to meet the current transportation needs of families and businesses, locally and across a region; they also attempt to predict future travel patterns in order to identify the need for additional transportation services and facilities.Housing, Social and Community Development Planning - Many planners practice in these overlapping areasUrban and Regional Planners need a variety of capabilities that allow them to carry out a number of duties within a working setup. Some of these are listed below.• Design, promote and administer government physical development plans

and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and transportation.

• Hold public meetings and confer with government, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community physical development plans.

• Recommend approval, denial or conditional approval of physical development plan proposals.

• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on projects.• Advise on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance,

and possible alternatives.• Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies or other research

to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory and physical factors affecting land use.

• Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, and community use.

• Mediate community disputes and assist in developing alternative plans and recommendations for programs or projects.

• Coordinate work with other professionals during the formulation of physical development plans and the design of large infrastructure.

• Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private and public planning projects and programs.

To succeed as a professional Urban and Regional Planner, one needs to have a number of abilities including but not limited to Oral and Written Comprehension; Deductive & Inductive Reasoning; Oral & Written Expression; Information Ordering; Problem Sensitivity; Speech Clarity; Near Vision; Category Flexibility; Originality; Fluency of Ideas; Visualization and Selective Attention. In addition, to survive in this highly competitive environment, Urban Planners must have an unquestionable mastery of the core Knowledge, Experience, and Education requisites including Design in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models; Customer and Personal Service; Law and Government; Building and Construction; Administration and Management; Geography; Computers and Electronics; Mathematics; Clerical; Basic Engineering and Technology principles; Economics and Accounting principles and practices.This article is adapted from http://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com

by Olale Philip