A C L E A R S T R AT E G Y T O R E V I TA L I S E T H E C I T Y O F C O O L W AT E R S
KARURA FOREST MATHARE
CITY PARK
ARBORETUM
KWANGWARE
NGONG FOREST
SANCTUARY
KIBERA
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
5 10 km
NAIROBI RIVERS REGENERATION
NAIROBI, KENYA
Nairobi’s location on the Nairobi river and
its tributaries as they flow down from the
Central Highlands has defined the city
since its formation. The name ‘Nairobi’ is
derived from the Masai phrase for “place of
cool waters” – named for the clean, fresh
mountain water that originally supplied
the city.
The health of Nairobi’s waterways has
declined steeply, in line with the city’s
population explosion from 250,000
inhabitants in 1960 to 4 million today.
Much of the city, particularly the informal
settlements, lack any form of municipal
water supply or waste removal facility; as
a result Nairobi’s rivers are clogged with
human and industrial waste.
The impact on public health and
wellbeing, the natural environment, and
land values has been severe. In the past 10
years, pollution has begun to impact upon
wildlife in the national parks and game
reserves downstream, which is a threat
to Kenya’s tourism industry, key to both
regional and national interests.
Copyright © 1976-2018 BuroHappold Engineering. All Rights Reserved
DANDORA
KARIOBANGI
CBD
CENTRAL PARK /
UHURU PARK
MUKURU
BuroHappold Engineering was engaged CLI EN T
by Planning SSL, a firm based in Kenya, British High Commission
to support the creation of a Vision for
K E Y CO LL AB O R ATO R
Change document that would set out the
Planning Systems Services Ltd
challenges and opportunities afforded
by a regional river regeneration project, PR OJ EC T VALU E
set out a high level strategy that would £75,000
demonstrate a viable solution, and allow
for the engagement of key stakeholders D U R AT I O N
2018
and funding organisations.
Every city exists in its own unique context; SERV I CE S PR OV I D ED BY
however, the challenges faced by Nairobi BU R O HAPP O LD
mirror those faced by other developing Strategic water engineering consultancy
cities throughout the world. We were
invited to join this team because of our
expert knowledge in revitalizing urban
waterways, something that we have
built through the regeneration of rivers
in London, Dar Es Salaam, and Riyadh,
amongst others.
Our team facilitated in-country workshops
with a variety of stakeholders with
significant local knowledge, including
experts in water quality and sanitation,
economics and funding, legal and
Image © Planning Systems Services
planning issues, and ecology. These
workshops established the challenges
and opportunities that faced the river
restoration project.
Challenges that were identified included
the lack of utility infrastructure in informal
settlements, resulting in health risks to
the local population and exacerbated by
a lack of education. Also, large swathes
of the city are at major risk of flooding
during the two annual rainy seasons. One
key issue that we identified was that of
governance; there are multiple bodies in
place responsible for the maintenance
of Kenya’s waterways, which has resulted
in confusion and mismanagement.
For example, responsibility for the
maintenance of the Ngong Dam is covered
by 70 separate pieces of legislation, yet
these laws do not appear to be enforced.
Our next task was to tailor our knowledge
of international best practice to the local
context. Through this we developed 15
goals, which were then grouped under
three key principles: environmental
rehabilitation, economics and governance,
and society and wellbeing. These provided
a clear strategy for breaking down the
complex web of interrelated issues
surrounding the project.
We then identified a four-step process
to ensure phased delivery of the project.
The first phase consists a series of studies
undertaking detailed analysis of the
existing situation. This will form the basis
for the second phase, which will establish
a Development Vehicle, a mechanism to
safeguard the waterways, unlock projects,
and ensure economic sustainability. The
next step will be a full rehabilitation of
the river environment. The proposed
Development Vehicle would be able to
capitalise on the opportunities for urban
development created by a revitalised
water network in the third and fourth
phases of the vision.
We have established the framework
for the first phase study as part of the
final deliverable – a visioning document
that clearly sets out a path to a resilient,
reenergised Nairobi. We have created
confidence that with political and financial
support, the city’s waterways can be
regulated and regenerated to the great
benefit of all who live and work in the city Image © BuroHappold Engineering
and the regions downstream.

Copyright © 1976-2018 BuroHappold Engineering. All Rights Reserved