Kenya is set to adopt modern transport systems to complement the government’s Big Four housing agenda of 500,000 affordable units.
The housing agenda will incorporate movement systems, access, and service plans to facilitate easy movement of people to and from their place of work.
Already, the government has a design principle to be followed for the modern transport system and it falls within the development framework guidelines.
According to Nairobi Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) Board Director, Ronald Ndegwa, the development framework for the housing agenda will incorporate modern transport access vehicles that will solve the perpetual traffic congestion associated with large projects.
Meanwhile, as another strategy for Nairobi’s pending Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is seeking the extension of the corridor via the CBD.
Previously, the framework limited the BRT’s routes to outside Nairobi’s CBD and for this reason, ITDP Africa wants the model to be reconsidered to introduced the buses into the city as it would benefit many people.
“We must facilitate ease of movement in an effective and reliable manner in order to achieve Affordable Housing Program objectives,” said Charles Hinga Mwaura, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
He added that the current project design details outline conspicuous policies on access and movement encompassing cycling routes and pedestrian-friendly walkways to boost other means of transport not motorized.
The development framework for the affordable housing project will include residential housing units on 50 percent of the project land; 25 percent of the land will host utilities, roads, and services while the open spaces and community facilities entailing retail amenities will sit on 15 and 10 percent of the land space, respectively.The project also features supply, demand, and enabling environment interventions.
The first lot (Lot 1) of the five in total identified for the housing project Mavoko (5,500), Shauri Moyo (5,300), Park Road (1,640), Makongeni (20,000), Starehe (3,500), Social housing (15,000), Nairobi and Mombasa Counties (78,700), other Counties (48,000) with the completion of legacy projects to be revealed soon.