The Industrial Area was never an unplanned zone. The zone which was mooted way back in the 19th century got a better plan in 1948, but unfortunately, the plan was trashed by the colonialist government and afterwards by independent Kenya.
Even before the 1948 Master Plan that designated operation of different industries in the 9.6km2 land in different categories, it was, first and foremost, made distinct from the Central Business District.
The Plan would then put industries dealing with bulky goods along the railway line.
The industrial area is located close to metre gauge railway line, and every industrialist handling bulky goods was served directly by feeder lines off the main railway line.
Light industries, most of which have since moved to Kariobangi area, were located closer to the centre of Industrial Area.
Then there was a smaller strip for noxious industries which were allocated operating places to the East of the old industrial park.
There were low-income residential areas around the Industrial Area which were to supply industries with labour.
These included Kaloleni, Makongeni (though this one mainly housed Railway workers) and Ofafa Jericho.
“The space for these areas underestimated the future expansion potential of the Industrial Area, besides not factoring the need for more workers,” according to details contained in the elaborate plan.
“The 1948 Master plan’s intention of zoning the area where industries would be located depending on whether they are heavy, light or noxious has almost not been followed at all,” notes a report by Harvard report. It, however, cites that oil and gas refineries next to the railway are the only ones that seem to have remained next to the railway line as initially planned.
The railway itself is no longer in use. The part closer to the centre, says the report, hosts “large factories, repair shops, showrooms dealing with vehicles, but this section has since been infiltrated by restaurants, governmental buildings and cultural facilities.
“The rest represent a total mix-up of different types of industries that has made upgrading of infrastructure almost impossible,” said the report by ETHZ Studio Basel.
According to a study by ETHZ Studio Basel Contemporary Institute, an institute of urban research, as far back as in 1948, the Industrial Area had a Masterplan which was supposed to ensure better use and expansion of the area that was supposed to steer forward the country’s manufacturing prospects.
In the 1948 Master Plan, care was taken to ensure there was no mix up between this zone and the Central Business District (CBD) and residential areas. Moreover, different industries in the 9.6km2 land were put in different categories depending on what they did.
“If all chemical industries would be centred in one zone, for example, the installation of the start-of-the-art waste pipes, is a possible action to take. Being spread over 9.6km2, the solution is far-off,” said the study.
Today, the Industrial Area has become congested, even as property has become expensive. There are no new industries setting up in the area, most of them have chosen to start their businesses in new areas such as Athi River and Kitengela.
Other areas that have benefitted from the new industries include Baba Dogo where a lot of godowns are being built.
