Kibera Public Space
Project 03 (KPSP 03)

Background

Kibera is the largest informal settlement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Home to more than a million residents, it occupies a space just outside of downtown Nairobi that is two-thirds the size of New York City's Central Park and consists of thirteen villages. Despite the roughly $25 million spent by more than 200 NGOs each year, Kibera has no formal trash collections system or dumping site and only one toilet per 250 people. Most families live on $1 a day and unemployment is over 50%. Land tenure is particularly precarious in Kibera. The government owns the land, while homes are constructed and owned by middle-income Kenyans who live outside of Kibera and then occupied and rented by low-income Kenyans. Housing density is incredibly high, with densities reaching 2,300 people per hectare, leaving little traditional open space. When space is available it is often used as a dumping site for residents, and becomes unusable due to periodic flooding.

KPSP 03

In early 2011, KDI identified a space in Kibera for a third Public Space Project. Requests for proposals were evaluated and two community-partner organizations were chosen in Spring 2011. The site lies along the river that runs through the settlement and is located in the Southwest part of Kibera. There are two large riverbanks that flood with water during the rainy season. The site is used for waste disposal throughout the year. Located on a hillside, poor drainage along the access roads greatly decreases residents' pedestrian access to and from their houses. The river is currently used as a play area for children, a laundry area for families, and gathering area for nearby residents despite pollution. An existing bridge connects the two banks of the project.

During summer 2011 the KDI Kenya team conducted numerous community workshops with residents and the community-partners to prioritize needs, create design solutions, and explore micro-enterprise opportunities at the site. The resulting project design includes: a poultry farm, improved drainage, flood control, a community center to house a school and health clinic, kiosks, and a playground.

Construction began in Fall 2011 by improving the drainage channel along the main road that connects to the bridge crossing the river. The drainage is constructed from cement and stones with crossings made from timber. Improved drainage was completed in November 2011 and residents no longer need to walk on running water, but on paths abutting the drainage. Gabion construction began in September 2011 with excavation and leveling of land. Gabions were constructed from stone and wire and are covered in a layer of cement to encourage their use for recreation and leisure. The playground, constructed from locally sourced lumber and recycled metal, consists of three shaded play spaces, a slide, swing set, fire pole, drum tunnel, see-saw, and balance-beam. The poultry farm and community center began construction in January and are slated for completion in Spring 2012.