Kenyatta University is planning to start training architects, urban and infrastructure planners in a move aimed at developing more skilled professionals in the building environment.
Last week, the university announced that it would launch a School of Architecture and Spatial Planning in Ruiru to cater for the training.
The school’s curriculum has been structured as a six-year, two-tier programme with the first stage consisting of a four-year, full-time study period, leading to the award of a Bachelor of Architectural Technology degree.
This will be followed by another two-year, full-time study period, with the students graduating with a Master’s in Architecture.
The possible exit in between the course will allow students to perform limited practice in the profession or specialise in related fields, a trend practised at the University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
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Rapid growth
During a stakeholders’ workshop in Nairobi last week, Lands, Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Mariamu El Maawy, said the real estate sector is the most rapidly growing economic segment, which has a lot to do with infrastructure development.
She said the country needs to employ professionals from the required disciplines, who have a strong educational background both theoretically and practically, in construction matters. She added that her ministry’s mandate covers the whole country and with the new devolved governments now in place, there is a need to employ more professionals to ensure every county is adequately covered.
“These professionals will need a strong educational foundation based on both theory and practice. They will need to attend institutions that have clear yet detailed study programmes that ensure they are well-equipped to handle matters at the national level with benefits that will impact on citizens. The foundation of these young professionals is in our hands,” she said.
Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda said the setting up of the school is informed by the fact that the country does not have enough professionals in the building environment.
“The shortage of architects has led to poor building standards. There is a need to enhance training of such professionals. This is why Kenyatta University is coming up with the School of Architecture and Spatial Planning,” she said.
According to data published by the university, Kenya’s urban population has risen from eight per cent at independence to 34 per cent. It is projected that half of the population will reside in urban areas by 2030.
Of those living in urban areas, 70 per cent reside in informal settlements without basic infrastructure and other services, a situation expected to get worse in the absence of innovative planning solutions.
