Nairobi’s diminishing open spaces

By Hosea Omole

Open spaces in our towns and cities have received very little attention from developers and planners. While residential, commercial and industrial developments have increased exponentially over the last eight years, open spaces have borne the brunt of this ‘construction boom’.

Areas that had earlier been zoned for urban and neighbourhood parks and public playgrounds have been usurped for other development purposes, which are deemed to be more economically beneficial. Others have been turned into open-air markets and informal settlements.

Rogue private developers have taken advantage of law enforcement gaps and put up structures that show little regard for any open space. In spite of by-laws that require buildings in certain zones to leave a percentage of the site open, it is not uncommon for buildings to occupy an entire plot.

It is amazing how many residential apartments don’t even have parking spaces, let alone green spaces.

Sorry State

The result is the concrete jungle that characterise our neighbourhoods today. Areas earlier perceived as affluent have lost their lustre and are becoming dense and congested. Others have even degenerated into near slums, exhibiting all characteristics of a slum in all but name.

The few remaining open spaces are poorly designed and maintained. Many of them are dirty and insecure, which makes them a problem to the community rather than an asset. It also makes them all more vulnerable.

If open spaces were better designed to meet the communities’ social and recreational needs, then people would revere them a little more.

Quality open spaces have immense benefits to individuals, communities and the environment. This is especially true for the urban and sub-urban environments. Contrary to common perception, these benefits are not limited to the direct users of the open spaces. They touch the lives of every person who lives and works in our towns.

Quality Environment

Quality open spaces can turn our cities and neighbourhoods into places that are more pleasant and attractive to live and work. They improve the character of the environment and the value of properties therein.

Availability of recreational alternatives as well as park amenities are important quality-of-life factors for businesses choosing a place to locate and individuals seeking a place to live.

Green open spaces also have immense benefits to the cities’ environment. Besides improving quality of air, they also help reduce storm water runoff by allowing water from the roads and pavements to percolate into the ground.

In fact, if our homes, neighbourhoods and cities had just about enough green spaces, the perennial street flooding problem would never be a problem.

Physical and social health

Moreover, quality open spaces have numerous health and social benefits. First, residents would have opportunities to exercise without having to subscribe to expensive gyms. Children would have healthier and safer playing alternatives besides streets and parking lots, as is the case today.

All these would foster a healthier urban population and improve social well-being.

Research has shown that juvenile deliquence and crime levels are much lower in neighbourhoods that have quality open spaces. It is a concept known as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.