TOWARDS URBAN PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE LINKAGES IN THE DELIVERY OF SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC URBAN OPEN SPACES IN NAIROBI
Mwaniki Bernadette W.
Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Gakuya Daniel W.
Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Mwaura A. Munyua
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of the Built Environment, university of Nairobi, Kenya
Muthama Nzioka J.
Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Good governance is important in all walks of life. In the running of nations and cities, research attests to the critical significance of good governance since it determines whether or not countries and cities advance into wealth and health or stagnate through underdevelopment or even slip backwards through divisive policies and abuse of public resources. Research also confirms the importance of urban planning, which creates living areas that are efficient, equitable, healthy and vibrant with biodiversity and variety. This study aims to investigate whether and how enhanced linkages between governance and urban planning deliver more sustainable public open spaces in Nairobi City. Data was collected through general questionnaire survey (n=400), key respondents questionnaire survey (n=20), key respondent interviews, observations, review of documents and maps. The study revealed intricate inter-linkages between governance and urban planning and how global North countries have exploited these to create urban planning models and strategies that enhance productivity, aesthetics, health and quality of life. The study has shown that these linkages are not exploited in Nairobi City, which instead uses private interests and market forces to drive urban development at the expense of social interests and urban nature. The study recommends the creation of adequate operational space for urban planning by equipping it with good institutional, planning, open spaces and legal frameworks that enable the profession to execute its mandate of guiding the implementation of the city’s visions and goals towards greater wealth, higher employment opportunities, better laid out infrastructure and services and life enhancing environments.
