We should design housing projects that build communities

What works better when designing a house or an estate? High walls or an open plan with a sense of communal living?

When I was thinking about how to approach this subject, I went back to basics.

The question goes beyond real estate because our approach to the answer is deeply ingrained in our cultural beliefs, life experiences and aspirations.

If we opt for high walls, we are distancing ourselves from the community spirit, and effectively saying: “I don’t necessarily trust you, my neighbour, not to steal from me or attack me, or to turn a blind eye to those who wish to attack me. I must fortify my house against the likes of you.”

On the other hand, if we choose an open plan, we are making an altogether different statement: “Let us work together as neighbours within the community and look out not only for our own family, but for every family as a collective unit.”

There is also an element of symbolism that cannot be disregarded when one decides to build a fortress of bricks, mortar and razor wire, a negative sight that brings to the fore feelings of fear, intimidation and mistrust.

At Greenpark, the flagship estate of Superior Homes, once you gain authorised access past the guards, you will see lush gardens and children playing freely under minimal supervision, often with neighbours taking turns to look out for them.

This is similar to our villages where the culture is certainly one of equality and sharing, extending to security and wellbeing.

As we gain possessions, it is only natural for paranoia to take hold since most of us have been robbed or assaulted at some point, generally making us suspicious of strangers. Granted, we all want a more prosperous life individually and for our families. Our aspirations include moving upwards within society, sometimes isolating ourselves from our current peer group.

Many people subscribe to the “high walls” theory for these reasons. On the other hand, there is security in numbers. If a critical mass of like-minded individuals decide to band together formally or informally to protect one another’s property, the results are bound to be more effective than when it is every man for himself.

The brief from the developer to the project architect drives the process from the outset because design will strongly influence the direction home buyers go. This brief is drafted to maximise on profits.

In our Athi River project, we deliberately designed a development that can be secured and which allows neighbours to look after each other with the vision of establishing a strong sense of community that will also be sustainable over the long-term. Other developers are now following our example, with buyers embracing this change positively.

From a developer’s point of view, the perfect situation in Kenya would be a combination of community values of respect and cooperation that existed in the village life and the luxuries of modern life such as clean, reliable water, electricity and regular refuse collection.

— The writer the MD of Superior Homes Kenya Limited.