Is Nyali the 'Upper Hill' of Mombasa?

A construction boom is taking place in Mombasa’s Nyali area as the Nyali Bridge traffic jam discourages people from driving down town. Land is also shrinking in the island leaving no space to put up office blocks.

As a result, Nyali is now being seen by investors as the next investment frontier as office blocks come up, which has seen the value of land there double in the past three years.

Property developers, architects, doctors, ICT companies, shipping lines, construction companies and hardware dealers have already established bases in Nyali.

The hitherto quiet part of Mombasa has thus been replaced by the hustle and bustle of a growing town with construction work going on 24 hours a day. The result? Mombasa is now expanding further afield to Vipingo, about 20 kilometres away on Malindi Road.

However, concerns are emerging on whether Nyali, previously owned and planned for high-end residential houses has adequate amenities to support this transformation.

It means that Nyali will have to have modern facilities such as fibre optic connectivity and bio-digestive systems to manage waste. Well designed car parks as well.

Already shopping malls are accommodating supermarkets while recreational grounds, such as the Nyali Golf Club and the Wild Waters Entertainment Park, are easing off pressure from the down town.

It would also appear that market dynamics are working in favour of Nyali. The area is home to a sizable middle class, which according to developers, already provides sufficient demand for such developments.

In May the Housing Finance Corporation of Kenya launched its first commercial property venture in Mombasa and is financing a Sh180 million office space complex in Nyali.

HFCK managing director, Mr Frank Ireri, says the construction of the six-storey block Links Plaza in Nyali is aimed at reducing pressure on Mombasa Island and providing office space outside the town for convenience.

“Due to population growth, Mombasa has become crowded and there is need to move out of town so that services are not stretched further. This is happening in Nairobi where offices are moving out of the central business district.”

The bank will finance 70 per cent of the cost of the project and the developers are introducing a unique concept in which businesses will obtain mortgages to enable them to own offices rather than relying on renting, says the bank’s director of property supply Moses Wekesa.

“We will provide finance for premise ownership running up to 12 years and business owners will have the advantage of subletting any space they do not need,” says Wekesa. The building will be ready for occupation by the end of next year.

The project architect, Titus Kipsang of Symbion International says the building will have a backup-generator, fibre optic connectivity, solar powered common lighting system, 24-hour CCTV surveillance, secure parking and splendid ocean views.

However, one of the major challenges facing this development is lack of supportive amenities such as water and sewerage systems since the initial plan for the area didn’t put into consideration such huge developments.

Some plot owners in Nyali have also protested that they are being deprived of their privacy and have gone to court to block construction. According to Mombasa Town Clerk Tubman Otieno, Nyali residents should live with the realities of Mombasa’s expansion.

“We must accept that Mombasa town has grown over the years but there has been no Municipal resolution to control development of houses,” says Tubman adding that the municipality was developing a master plan.

According to Tubman, the municipality will benefit from a $15 million (Sh1.2 billion) fund from the World Bank to upgrade the sewerage system covering a 17-kilometre radius that will include Nyali it plans to “concessionise” roads and improve waste management system by partnering with the private sector.

“We are even mulling over floating an infrastructure bond of between five to ten billion shillings to finance various projects the council is undertaking,” says Tubman.

In regard to water, the Coast Water Services Board (CWSB) says it will present a sewerage investment plan to the Water ministry mid next year, for approval after which it will seek funding to develop a sewerage system.

“Once the plan is complete we hope to pump in about $3 million (Sh240 million) in the project’s initial stages,” says CWSB chief executive officer Maro Tola. But according to some qur developers should also take the initiative of coming up with measures to provide fresh water as a matter of urgency rather than wait for these projects that might take long thus delaying developments.

“Rain water can provide up to 40 per cent of the water needs of an office block and developers should put in place infrastructure to harvest it. Other measures such as de-salination of sea water can also address this problem,” says a developer.

Source: Daily Nation

Austin-Smith : Lord Vision for Nairobi 2030

In January 2010, a UK-based firm, Austin-Smith:Lord,  together with its Kenyan partners Saad Yahya & Associates and engineering firm Mott Macdonald were shortlisted along with 5 others to develop a concept for the Nairobi 2030 Metropolitan Spatial Plan. Consulting Engineering Services from India Ltd. were the eventual winners.

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There are 4 regions that compromise the Nairobi Metro Region area. The city area of Nairobi measures 684 sq kilometres alone, with the larger metro area covering 3,000sq. km. The land of Nairobi’s region falls from the edge of the Rift Valley in the west at an elevation of 2,300 metres, to 1,500 metres to the east of the city, with the centre of the city standing at 1,700 metres. Nairobi was a staging post for agrarian and pastoral tribes. In the early 1900’s the trading boundaries were stretched from Uganda through Nairobi to Mombasa on the coast. The UAE has invested in broadband for all. Digital trade has started.

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The total population of the Region increased from 1.36 million in 1979 to roughly 3 million in 1999, with an anticipated growth to 5 million by 2015. The last master plan made in 1970 has not been revised since and many of the issues unchecked, unplanned, unresolved some 40 years on.

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Consider Africa’s largest informal settlement of Kibera, that has established itself + grown to the west of Nairobi. It is now a locally run organism of houses, shops, schools, surgeries and small businesses. Previously an unhealthy environment, its residents have taken control. There are many such organisms that have grown like viruses across Nairobi attaching themselves to the city’s fringes. Some better, some worse. Can man’s viral instinct - work from the small scale up to the metro scale - contribute to future planning ideas and decision making?

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Giraffes and other migrating animals in the national park stand in stark silhouette to the urban back drop of flyovers, traffic and buildings to the adjacent central Nairobi. People walk between home and work because they cannot afford ‘matatu’ taxi’s or buses. Wildlife in the park are stopped in their tracks seasonally because of man’s encroachment on their land. Nairobi was the green capital of Africa.

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We wish to re-green the city by opening, improving and cleaning up the city’s arteries. It’s roads, rail, rivers and water ways to allow free passage.

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We propose small – medium and long distance radius ‘rings’ of infrastructure; systems of road, rail, sewage and clean-water supply and storage. We propose to link new and existing towns across the existing network of roads, river and rail lines, providing each town with it’s own political, economic, social and infrastructural identity.

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Nairobi stands at a cross roads.  All Nairobi’s considerable energy, beauty and resource are in balance. Growth and change best happens from within. Any new scheme for the region has to use people and materials sustainably.

[caption id="attachment_1311" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="Nairobi 2030 Metropolitan Master Plan, Board"][/caption]

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Source: Bustler

World Town Planning Day

The World is once again set to mark the World Town Planning Day on 8^th November 2010. This is a day that the International Community has set aside to reflect on the state of planning, development and management of world cities and urban settlements.

You are all invited to join the World community in marking this important annual event.

Venue: Kenyatta International Conference Centre, (KICC), Nairobi starting from 8am

Organized by:

The Architectural Association of Kenya(AAK Town Planners Chapter) andInternational Society of City & Regional Planners, The Hague / Netherlands (ISOCARP)

Key Partners:

UN-Habitat, Ministry of Lands, ODPM and Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development and City Council of Nairobi

Contact the Architectural Association of Kenya for more information.

Jobs at PLANNING

Architects and Architectural Assistants Jobs at Planning Systems Services Ltd,  Chartered Architects - Land Use Planners - Project Managers in our  Nairobi & Mombasa Offices

We are seeking to make a limited number of architects and architectural assistants appointments.

Skills required:

• Excellent design awareness, practical on site experience and sound detailed technical knowledge.


• Evidence of reliability and responsibility.


• Proven communication, spoken, written and drawn skills, including 2 and 3 dimensional hand drawing abilities.


• Proficiency in AutoCAD 2007 and above.


• Proficiency in presentation skills using Photoshop, InDesign and/or CorelDraw.


• 3D modeling skills and renderings preferable with Revit, Sketchup, Rhinoceros, 3ds Max and/or ArchiCAD.

Applicants should address their applications to the Managing Director through careers@planningkenya.com

All applications must include proven evidence of the requirements detailed above, and must be accompanied by computer and hand drafted original personal work, references and referees.

A competitive package and excellent career opportunities available for successful applicants.

Planning House, Lower Kabete Road, P 0 Box 188, Sarit Centre 00606 Nairobi Kenya. Tel : 254-20-41806501112,

Investors seek to cash in on planned bypass

The planned construction of a bypass linking Mombasa island and the South Coast is attracting investors seeking to cash in on the benefits of enhanced infrastructure.

South Coast, whose main town is Diani, had been given a wide berth by investors due to ferry delays at the Likoni channel.

Transport minister Amos Kimunya said the construction of the Dongo Kundu bypass would start before the end of the year.

Mr Kimunya said that construction of the road, which will start at Miritini through Dongo Kundu and end at Lunga Lunga in South Coast, would commence after tendering is finalised.

“The South Coast has great potential which needs to be exploited to the fullest. This will be made possible by this road,” the minister said.

Ministry of Roads PS, Engineer Michael Kamau, said bids for the construction of the multi-million bypass would be issued as soon as the minister endorses the plan.

He said the much-awaited project had been hit by a misunderstanding among different government agencies over the routing, a matter he added had been resolved for the 18km road that would also create special economic zones in Changamwe and the South Coast.

“The increased economic growth and the population demands that the flow of traffic and goods is uninterrupted and this can only be realised through a bypass in Dongo Kundu,” he said.

The South Coast has in the last few months witnessed massive construction and setting up of amenities such as banks, supermarkets, private schools and hospitals.

“All the major banks have branches in Diani and we are now witnessing the explosion of high-rise buildings to capitalise on available land,” said Mr David Ndirangu, proprietor of Masai Cottages and Masai Bureau nightclub.

Palm Beach Hospital proprietor, Dr Lalit Kotak, said economic development in the area would increase if the bypass is constructed.

Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association executive officer Millicent Odhiambo said the bypass would benefit not only the tourism but every sector of the economy.

Source: Daily Nation

Vacancies for Lecturers - 4 Posts

The Department of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Nairobi wishes to engage lecturers in the area of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management on both full time and part time  basis.

Applicants should be holders of a Ph.D degree in at least one of the following areas; - Building Economics, Construction Management, Construction Project Management, Building Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture and Building Technology. Holders of a Masters degree with minimum three (3) years teaching experience at University level will also be considered.

Applicants should have a minimum of two (2) publications in refereed journals or two (2) chapters in scholarly books or two (2) strong project portfolios and evidence of continuing research activity. They must be registered with the relevant registration Board and professional organization or show evidence of registration. The first degree in the above areas of specialization will be an added advantage.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both postgraduate and undergraduate degree courses. He /She will also be expected to undertake research in his/her areas of specialization. Interested persons wishing to apply for these positions may contact Dr. Mary Kimani, Chairman, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management on email: mkimani65@uonbi.ac.ke for further information.

You are Never Entirely Safe from Lightning – Kenneth Oigo

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As we all learned during our physics lessons — at least those of us who paid attention — Benjamin Franklin discovered that a lightning bolt striking an elevated grounded rod follows a path of least resistance to earth.

This discovery, if we may call it thus, advanced fire safety considerably in those days — and still holds true today.

The installation of rods — also known as air terminals because they are termination points for bolts of lightning in the air — and a series of horizontal and vertical straps or wires connected to ground rods make up the classic definition of a Lightning Protection System (LPS).

An LPS can thus be defined as a path of least resistance for lightning as it travels from the point of interception to earth.

Lightning can at times be arbitrary, random and unpredictable, and has been known to strike buildings or targets on the ground that are up to four kilometres from the lightning cloud.

As a result of recent technological advancements in the construction industry, buildings nowadays are not made of simple wooden structures as was the case in the 18th century, when the first conductors were invented.

Most modern buildings are made up of structural steel, reinforced concrete, metal claddings, steel roof framework, cast iron waste pipes, copper gas pipes in walls, cable TV wiring, telephone wiring, electrical wiring, metal door and window frames, etc.

If lightning strikes an LPS on a structure, it is possible that the high voltage electricity may be transferred to the unintended conductors listed above, posing a huge danger to all people in their vicinity.

The magnetic effects of lightning may also affect these conductors, and his poses a huge danger to phone users during thunderstorms, those taking showers during thunderstorms, washing dishes at the kitchen sink, working with electrical appliances during thunderstorms, or leaning on metal doors or windows.

Therefore, despite the fact that buildings may be fitted with lightning arresters and a sophisticated LPS, it is important to refrain from these activities to minimise the risk posed to us.

The risk from indirect lightning strikes is considerably high and, as such, the LPS is of no merit during indirect lightning strikes.

Therefore, detailed attention should be paid to bonding, grounding, and surge protection of the building and its electrical accessories.

Email the Author:

Source: Daily Nation

The International Builders Show, Orlando Florida, January 12-15 2011.

The International Builders Show will be held on 11th – 15th January 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

This show is suited for architects, engineers, contractors and quantity surveyors and is the largest annual trade show in the world for the residential and commercial building industry, showcasing more than 1,900 manufacturers and suppliers and covering in excess of one million net square feet of exhibit space. The show offers the largest display of residential and commercial building industry products and materials in more than 200 construction product categories and attracts more than 103,000 professionals from nearly 100 countries.

The US Commercial Service desk in Nairobi has already commenced preparation for the Kenya delegation to the show.

It is anticipated that all persons attending the show will complete pre-requisite processes (registration, VISA facilitation and making required payments) by 30th November 2010 and a travel package is being arrange. Details regarding the costs of travel will be communicated to all interested participants shortly.

All interested participants who are also AAK members to get in touch with the AAK secretariat for more information and registration. In the meantime, online pre-registration can be done online by clicking here.

Vacant Position - CAD Technician/Junior Architect

Triad Architects invites applications for a position as CAD technician or junior architect whose principal draughting programme must be AutoCAD.   Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years experience in a busy office.   An attractive salary will be offered to the right candidate.  Applications with detailed curriculum vitae, names, emails and addresses of three referees and daytime telephone contact should be sent by email to the HR Director using recruit@triad.co.ke.   Closing date for the applications is 22^nd October 2010.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Kibaki tells Architects, “You are Damn Expensive.”

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has challenged professionals in the construction industry to partner with the government to facilitate swift implementation of projects that will improve the social welfare of citizens.

President Kibaki noted that prohibitive consultancy fees charged by professionals in the industry frustrated project implementation apart from making even ordinary projects unattainable.

He said that there was need to tackle temptations of inflating consultancy fees adding that they must reflect realistic cost and asked the Architectural Association of Kenya to deal with the matter.

The Head of State noted that projects that directly benefited Kenyans were unnecessarily overpriced thus frustrating government’s efforts to improve the living standards of wananchi.

The President made the remarks on Monday when he met members of the Architectural Association of Kenya at his Harambee House Office.

The Head of State affirmed that many ordinary Kenyans intuitively knew the realistic cost of undertaking simple projects such as constructing a common classroom or other similar projects.

Urging the professionals to strive in meeting the expectations of the rural poor, President Kibaki noted that most of the construction materials were locally available, hence the need to price projects realistically.

He noted that many professionals were driven by the desire to make huge earnings, causing anguish to many Kenyans.

He challenged professionals to partner with government as the country embarked on an ambitious infrastructural development programme.

The Head of State told the professionals comprising architects, quantity surveyors, town planers, engineers, environmental design consultants and construction project managers that the government had channelled substantial funds through initiatives like the Constituency Development Fund.

The President noted there was need for prudent utilisation of the funds because of the many other public projects that needed funding across various sectors of the society.

Speaking during the occasion, Public Works Minister Chris Obure said the government was keen to work closely with the AAK particularly in developing the country’s infrastructure.

Mr Obure, however, decried the high rate at which qualified staff exited the public service for other lucrative appointments in the private sector, thus endangering the delivery of quality service to the public.

On his part, AAK Chairperson Mr Steven Oundo thanked President Kibaki and his government for rolling out one the most ambitious infrastructural development in the country’s history.

Mr Oundo affirmed that AAK was keen on partnering with the government in making Kenya a better country through the implementation of various development projects aimed at unlocking the country’s economic potential.

In attendance were Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, Public Works Permanent Secretary Prof John Lonyangapuo and other senior government officials.

Source: Daily Nation

Condolence Message - Mr. Baldip Singh Rihal

The Architecture Kenya team has learnt, with great shock, of the death of Mr. Baldip Singh Rihal who passed away on 5^th October 2010.

The late Baldip Singh Rihal is a former Chairman of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA) as well as the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK). He also represented professional associations as a delegate at the National Constitutional Conference at the Bomas of Kenya.

He will be greatly missed by the entire professional community in the country for his dedication and contribution to the development of the surveying profession in the country.

We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

May his soul rest in peace.

Training Architects is an Expensive Affair

The Architecture Kenya team would like to register its support for Hon. William Ruto's plans to reform the higher education system in Kenya.

The proposal to expand universities and introduction of strategies to accommodate more qualifiers is long overdue. Every passing year, the number of students qualifying for university increases while the capacity of our higher education institutions remain the same.

Pegging the number of students admitted to bed space availability at the university is a barbaric criteria that needs to be done away with. The universities would ironically go ahead and admit even more students under 'module II' (the very popular parallel system) thus putting to question their 'lack of space' excuse. The motivation has seemingly been the amount of money 'module II' students pay which is way above the combined amount their 'module I' counterparts pay in addition to the support the government offers per student.

Also, courses like Architecture, Engineering, Medicine and other sciences are an expensive affair as compared to Humanities and Social Sciences. Whereas the former require more in terms of equipment, space and even attention by teaching staff, the latter are more demanding in terms of literature material and can be disseminated to large groups of students at a go without jeopardizing on their quality. It is thus unrealistic to provide equal funding to these courses that have entirely different requirements.

The above comments we are making are not new. They have been on the cards for years, but were never implemented for lack of political will. Several commissions and task forces established in the past decade have always recommended a change in university funding mechanism: that government funding to universities should be based on the cost of mounting courses rather than the number of students admitted.

Whereas the changes are commendable, Mr Ruto and his team must avoid the temptation to hurry up at a speed the universities cannot manage. Experiences of the late 1980s and early 1990s when universities were forced through crash admission programmes were woefully regrettable. Their negative impacts are still being felt today.

University education must be changed, but the process must be judicious and consultative devoid of political theatrics and chest-thumping.

The Architecture Kenya Team.