It's possible to build an urban future for all

Filthy street within Pipeline estate in Embakasi South, Nairobi. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Cities around the world are experiencing social, economic and environmental challenges due to globalisation and rapid urbanisation.

In Africa, such challenges include urban decay, deterioration of the environment, lack of infrastructure, social challenges and economic decline. The second UN Habitat Assembly slotted for June, in Nairobi, themed, "A sustainable urban future" could not have come at a better time or place. African cities are experiencing rapid aging and decay and now secondary or intermediary cities (i-cities) are trying to learn lessons from big city mistakes.

I-cities can offer alternatives to the decay caused by unplanned growth and proliferation of informal settlements, and help connect vital rural and urban areas to basic facilities and services. According to United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) which coined the term "i-cities", these cities are home to 20 per cent of the world's population and one third of the urban population. This is particularly important in Africa, where the urban population growth rate surged from about 27 per cent in 1950 to 40 per cent in 2015. Experts project 60 per cent by 2050.

In Kenya, i-cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret saw urban population increase to a peak of 28.49 per cent by 2021.

Kenya, like other African countries, is trying to figure out how deal to with rapid growth of urban population and the drop off in basic services such as water supply, waste management, waste water and growing urban crimes. I-cities are showing one path forward.

The secret to successful urban regeneration should be measured on how sustainable the transformation will be. The change should tap into any existing and potential competitiveness of the urban areas and build on historic and societal values. These could be arts, cultural mix, physical attributes, political history or natural resources. Participation and cooperation among stakeholders in urban space including government planning agencies, architects and investors is critical leading to improvement of physical condition of buildings, social structure, economic base and environmental conditions.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, the Maboneng neighbourhood has undergone a transformation. From a collection of old manufacturing buildings, a new creative neighbourhood has emerged. The original old buildings have revamped into welcoming street-facing retail, commercial work spaces and artist studios. More unconventional modern buildings have also been added - making making Maboneng a place to live, work and play.

In Kenya, exciting projects have been developed by different county governments in line with the Urban Areas and Cities Act enacted in 2012. In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika has laid out plans for "Better Towns for All" through developing 120 Market Centres, 6 townships, 6 Municipalities to One City.

Her manifesto positions Nakuru to set a new urban discourse. The work will focus centres on their potential competitiveness to strengthen the economic base at the most basic local level. This is being replicated in all municipalities. For instance, Naivasha is being developed to a hospitality and sporting hub, tying up the world-famous Safari Rally, and a new sporting academy and international stadium. Molo and Mau Narok are being set up as "agro-cities" with focus on agricultural value addition of key products including Irish potatoes and carrots.

Kihika's 10-year strategy is aimed at retaining skilled young people at the municipal and township levels by growing local economies. Nakuru will host Kenyan cities and municipalities two weeks to the UN HABITAT Assembly, to set a roadmap for urban centres and i-cities.

-The writer is an Aspen fellow and PhD student in project management