School of Architecture and Spatial Planning

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Accuracy Assessment Of Preliminary Index Diagrams (PIDS) From High Resolution Orthoimages In Kenya
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
In Kenya, various types of cadastral maps are in use for land administration; the most famous being Registry Index Maps (RIMs) used in the rural areas due to their ease of production by simple surveying techniques and air survey methods. Such RIMs initially intended as a temporary measure to speed up land registration pending preparation of more accurate documents, are still in use today resulting in unreliable and lack of up to-date survey information for better land administration. This study investigates a new system that would facilitate quick production of reliable, accurate and up to-date cadastral maps for land administration through the use of high spatial resolution satellite imagery (QuickBird). Three types of data were acquired and integrated to provide a database; namely QuickBird orthoimage, orthophoto and parcel areas from the RIMs. The evaluation was made by statistically comparing parcel areas from, orthophoto (reference data), QuickBird satellite orthoimage and the official PID Area List. The study has demonstrated that the high spatial resolution satellite imagery can be used as an input for indirect land surveying methodology. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference between parcel areas from orthophoto and satellite orthoimage while there was significant difference between PID and orthophoto areas. Good results were obtained for large and medium size parcels with an average area difference of 0.3% and 1.0% respectively and 2.6% for smaller sized parcels. However, with regard to the minimum requirements for a Land Registry Index Map to be of sufficient accuracy to perform its core functions of parcel identification, boundary relocation, mutation surveys and area computation, it can be reasonably concluded that PIDs from QuickBird orthoimage at a scale of 1:5000 met these requirements.
Agent-based modelling of urban sanitation: informal settlements in Nairobi
(2006) Obonyo, Esther; Omenya, Alfred
During the last two decades, Nairobi in Kenya has experienced a rapid increase in its urban population. With the number of houses failing to match the increase in urban population, a number of informal settlements (slums) have mushroomed. As the population of these areas continues to increase, the inability of the local authorities to provide basic sanitation services for the urban dwellers is becoming a serious problem. The unprocessed soil water being discarded into the environment is not only adversely affecting the ecosystem; it is also creating unhygienic conditions that are conducive for the transmission of diseases in the densely populated informal settlements. A number of community-based organisations (CBOs) have undertaken various initiatives to mitigate against such problems. These organizations operate largely independently and there is no evidence of an evaluation being undertaken across the board to model the social, economical and environmental impact of the existing sanitation initiatives. This paper describes a proposed agent-based model that is aimed at doing just that. The proposed system will increase the comparative efficacy in the selected domain by modeling the values and incentives for the different organisations in various scenarios.
Aspects Of Customary Land Tenure Rights In Kenya
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
This paper argues that the imposition of Western-style land tenure system into Kenya has not killed the spirit of the customary tenure. Instead, the customary system only went underground where it continued to grow despite the overlay of statutory law that was designed to replace it. That resilience and persistence is evident in several ways; for example, available literature indicates that many communities in Kenya continue to implement customary law in a way that indicates that customary tenure provides better solution to societal problems than the western statute laws. Consequently, many communities in Kenya continue to rely on customary tenure methods to solve land disputes as they claim that western-based courts are expensive, cumbersome and the judiciary system can be compromised. This paper therefore examines the current status of customary tenure among the Kenyan communities and how it performs visa vi vis the western-based tenure systems. The paper concludes that customary tenure still provides the only meaningful framework for the organization of social and economic livelihoods in Africa; and should therefore not be extinguished but instead be restructured to fit into modern economic regimes of the 21st Century.
The Challenge Of Sustaining Pastoralism Land Tenure System For Ecological Conservation Of The Maasai Mara
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
In the Maasai Mara ecosystem, nomadic pastoralism remains a dominant form of land tenure where pastoralists align their livelihoods with seasonal climate variations by systematically moving their livestock to different feed locations. In recent past, nomadic pastoralism in the Maasai Mara is challenged by the concept of private property where conventional private property regimes seek to allocate individual rights to land traditionally over a fixed and well-defined areas, including group ranches. Following the period of decolonization in Africa, implementation of these programmes became popular worldwide, even in regions with arid and semi-arid climate. However, pastoralism as a tenure system persisted and conflicts soon ensured with the individual property owners; and contemporary drivers, many underpinned by climate change agenda, further complicate these tenure conflicts. Despite all the conflicts and the value of pastoralism in ecosystem conservation, spatial information about pastoralist’s tracks and migration corridors often remain undocumented. Consequently, the spatial information about pastoralism has not been incorporated in the local land information systems or land use planning. The situation is worsening as land is continuously being surveyed, demarcated and allocated for private purposes. Social and economic welfare among pastoralists has declined as it depends on the freedom to access water and grazing areas. The challenge is therefore to inventory the cattle tracks and migration corridors, and include this information in local land information system, so that it may contribute to better planning, and alleviating the problems resulting from depriving the pastoralists access to the daily and seasonal resources. This paper therefore set out to look into the changing pastoralist land tenure (and land use) regime in the Maasai Mara conservancy, in Kenya, and proposes innovative geospatial-based methodology for comprehensive documentation of the pastoralist routes as a means of understanding climate change induced migration and thereby plan how pastoralism can be better sustained for better ecological management.
Detection of outliers in geodetic networks using principal component analysis and bias parameter estimation.
(1987) Aduol, Francis O.
Development Of A New Cadastral Model For Kenya
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
The Cadastral system in Kenya was established in 1903 to support land alienation for the white settlers who had come into the country in latter part of the 20th Century. In the last hundred years, the system has remained more or less the same, where land records are kept in paper format and majority of operations are carried out on a manual basis. The lack of a modern cadastral system has contributed to problems in land planning, access and administration. The Government has expressed the need to modernize the system in order to facilitate better land administration, support the development of an integrated Land Information Management System and a National Spatial Data Infrastructure. However, one persistent denominator to these efforts has been the lack of a modern cadastral model. This paper discusses a recent study carried out in Kenya to provide solution to the problem by developing a new cadastral model, based on an Object-Relational Model. In carrying out the study, user needs assessment was carried out to support conceptual and logical design of the new cadastral database. In implementing the model, a conceptual/logical model was developed based on Multi-Value Vector Maps and Smiths Normalization procedures. The resulting Functional Dependency Diagrams were used to design tables for subsequent querying with Microsoft SQL Language. Results from the study indicated that Smiths Normalization and Functional Dependency Diagrams are suitable for the automatic generation of fully Normalized Tables and a successful query of and displayed of multi-parcel ownership. On the other hand, it has been observed by various authors that typical Cod Normalization procedures do not support the display of multi-parcel ownership and automatic production of fully Normalized tables.
Effects of globalization in training architectural design
(2011) Omenya, Alfred
African architect unable to solve context-specific design challenges or explore context-specific design opportunities that Africa offers. This paper analyses some of the basis of western training that have had structural impacts on architectural design training in Africa. It also explains how the design studio at the University of Nairobi is trying to deal with this dilemma through a studio experiment.The paper further explores how the position of the human is being expanded beyond the object oriented traditional approaches to an approach that takes cognizance of the human as an emotional being and also considers the emotional context of the design. Further, the paper puts a case for African constructionism to compliment western abstract representation a case for design principles based on nature, arguing that organic architecture can also help refine the locally trained architect who will also be relevant globally. The paper finally argues that these approaches among others would help reconnect the trained African architect with his / her context and his / her client
Establishing teaching staff requirements for university academic programmes
(1999-07) Aduol, Francis O.
An evaluation of some robust estimation techniques in the estimation of geodetic parameters.
(1999) Aduol, Francis O.
In Part 1 of this study, we reported on an evaluation of the performances of four robust estimation techniques, namely: the modified residuals technique, the modified weights technique, the modified residuals-weights technique, and the iterative weighting technique. The methods were then tested on a simulated geodetic network. In this second part of the study, we carry out a further evaluation of the methods with a real geodetic network as the test network. In order that a set of gross-error contaminated observational may be available for the study, gross errors have been simulated into observational set. The results of the study largely corroborate the findings in Part 1 of the study
Evolution of urban housing strategies and dweller-initiated transformations in Nairobi
(Elsevier, 2011) Makachia, Peter A
In her century of existence, Nairobi has served as a laboratory of various housing strategies targeting the indigenous Africans and the poor. Discriminated based on racial segregation during colonisation, the poor have also been the object of post-colonial economic marginalisation. Consequently informal settlements and dweller-initiated transformations of formal housing has become their only mode of urban domicile. The paper looks at the later model and isolates the strategic policy and design choices that have guided the dwellers’ drive to transform the provided houses. The investigation uses an historical review of related literature in existing housing estates in city’s Eastlands’ District. Further, a case study of Kaloleni Rental Estate from the district was undertaken. The resultant dwellings point to informalisation leading to deterioration through use of ‘temporary’ materials and unplanned space uses in these formal schemes. The strategies based on modernist templates which ignored consultation, local cultural spatial paradigms and basic functional needs are faulted for the proliferation of these undue transformations that compromise the living environments. Further, the continued lack of tenant security in transforming dwellings has aided in the continual physical and social deterioration of neighbourhoods. The recommendations include a phased design guided densification model, socially inclusive through the incorporation of the existing dwellership and their participation.
Financing public universities in Kenya: a model based on rationalised student unit costs and staffing
(2001) Aduol, Francis O.
Whitehead (1967:4) defines the term “Education is t he acquisition of the art of the utilization of knowledge.” The universities are those institutions that teach learners the art of the utilization of knowle dge. For this to be achieved, goals and objectives are set in such a way that at a certain time 3 or 4 years, an individual is said to acquire the basic art at u ndergraduate level. If still interested, the individual can continue to higher l evels. This basic level and other levels above it are referred as higher educa tion. In this paper, the term university will be used to refer higher education. The art of the teaching and learning process requir es the appropriate media to communicate the curriculum content in this paper, the term communication simply refers to the art of sending o r receiving messages. Development of any nations depends on the participa tion of its human resources. This need well qualified personnel to handle all matters pertaining to her specific needs. Education in deve loping countries has expanded tremendously from few secondary schools at independence to the vast numbers that we have today. Most of the Africa n countries had either one or two universities at independence or none at all. However, this trend has changed and the countries can be congratulated for making sure that their people/citizens have access to higher education
A Historical Review of Land Tenure Reforms in Kenya
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
Land Tenure is a collection of relationships which exist between members of a society by virtue of their occupation and use of land [Ezigbalike and Benwell, 1995]. These relationships are dynamic and change with cultural and societal developments [Ting and Williamson 199a]. Feudalism was associated with the fiscal cadastre and the development of the individual tenure. The industrial revolution of the 17th Century precipitated the on-set of land markets and Torrens system; while the information revolution of 1980s created the subdivision of land, the concept of Agenda 21 and sustainable development, and the multipurpose cadastre. It is evident that the growth of land tenure systems is indeed related to changing human-land relations, historical developments and changing political circumstances. understanding such changes greatly assists in understanding current land policy issues and the impact of such changes on society at large. Simply the humankind to land relationship in any society is not stable but is continually evolving. This paper therefore set out to review the historical and political developments of the land tenure reforms in Kenya since the First Millenium A.D. It also provides a basis for understanding of the evolution of Kenya as a state and the impact of these tenure reforms on the customary systems which had existed among the Kenyan communities for ages. It introduces the reader to the various legislations that were promulgated to implement the new tenure systems and its impact on the governance of the state before and after attainment of political independence 1963.
Innovative Housing Financing for Sustainable Growth Modeling Incremental Financing Strategies.
(Kenya Bankers Association, 2015) Makachia, Peter A
The Centre for Research on Financial Markets and Policy was established by the Kenya Bankers Association in 2012 to oﬀer an array of research, commentary, and dialogue regarding critical policy matters that impact on ﬁnancial markets in Kenya. The Centre sponsors original research, provides thoughtful commentary, and hosts dialogues and conferences involving scholars and practitioners on key ﬁnancial market issues. Through these activities, the Centre acts as a platform for intellectual engagement and dialogue between ﬁnancial market experts, the banking sector and the policy makers in Kenya. It therefore contributes to an informed discussion that inﬂuences critical ﬁnancial market debates and policies. The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) Working Papers Series disseminates research ﬁndings of studies conducted by the KBA Centre for Research on Financial Markets and Policy. The Working Papers constitute “work in progress” and are published to stimulate discussion and contribute to the advancement of the banking industry’s knowledge of matters of markets, economic outcomes and policy. Constructive feedback on the Working Papers is welcome. The Working Papers are published in the names of the author(s). Therefore their views do not necessarily represent those of the KBA.
Land Administration Academic Education in Eastern Africa
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
The last five years has shown a remarkable growth of academic programs in land administration in Eastern Africa. In recognition of the role of land and land administration, various governments have supported training institutions in their countries to set up programs in the land administration domain. Programs at Bachelor’s level are being offered in Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda, and are expected to start in Tanzania. Ethiopia embarked on an MSc program in Land Administration, while universities in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, are developing their postgraduate and/or master’s curricula. A comparative analysis of the Bachelor’s programs offered at Eastern African Universities showed that the programs are quite similar in nature and are covering a broad spectrum of land administration subjects. The Master’s and postgraduate curricula are more specialised, with different orientations in the different universities. An important role in the development of land administration academic education in Eastern Africa played The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden, where many young graduates were trained who later became responsible for the development of the first bachelor’s programs in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In 2010 these countries and their universities started the Eastern Africa Land Administration Academic Network (EALAAN) in order to support each other in the development of their curricula. In the meantime EALAAN has grown as new members joined or are expected to join soon. It has broadened its focus to include Post Graduate Degree, Master’s programs and vocational training in land administration.
A Methodology For The Enhancement Of Tenure Security In The Informal Settlements In Kenya
(2017-09-25) Wayumba, Gordon
A major challenge facing African today is the growth of urban informal settlements. From a government perspective, management of the proliferation of informal settlements implies planning and control of the location in which these settlements spring up, improving the social and economic conditions in the informal settlements and ensuring that the residents and neighboring communities enjoy social justice. Of primary importance is the improvement of land tenure security for residents of the informal settlements. Addressing these objectives requires current, accurate, social and spatial information. The greatest challenge however that is the informal settlements are complex, dynamic social systems which experience continuous change. Mapping and documentation of rights in the informal settlement therefore requires accurate and up-to date spatial information which incorporates the dynamic nature of the settlements. For a long time, a system for documenting and processing the database for informal settlements has been lacking. Several methods have been proposed by various authors [Barry and Ruther, 2001; Nordin, 2004; Nordin and Osterberg, 2000] among others. One major missing denominator has been the lack of a pro-poor system for documenting the spatial and non-spatial attributes for comprehensive planning and tenure regularization. Recently, the Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM) has proved useful in fulfilling these mandates. A study was therefore set up in a selected informal settlement in Nairobi to test the suitability of the STDM in procuring the spatial information attributes and database development for the enhancement of tenure security in the informal settlements. Preliminary results show that (i) to carry out socio-economic survey with questionnaires in the informal settlements, all the stakeholders with interest in the informal settlements should be involved right from the beginning. These include; elected political leaders, County technical and administrative officials, social workers who are familiar with the ground situation in the informal settlements, and the resident community members; (ii) inclusion of the local youth in the enumeration exercise assists to track the movements of the beneficiaries; (iii) parents of the youth gain confidence in the project when their children are employed to administer the questionnaires; and (iv) that when computers are kept within the informal settlements and all the data collected are keyed in by the local youth, the communities gain more confidence in the project and support its implementation more enthusiastically. In carrying out mapping of the structures, the following observations were made; (i) high spatial resolution aerial photographs (at scales of 1:10,000 or higher) are adequate for mapping of structures in the informal settlements, (ii) satellite imagery with a spatial resolution of 40cm or lower are not suitable for mapping of the structures in the informal settlements due to lack of adequate resolution to pick the tiny structures, (iii) Social Data Domain Model (STDM) developed by Lemmen [2012] is a suitable database for presentation of the spatial and attribute data in the informal settlements.
A model for estimating student unit cost and staffing requirements for university programmes with reference to Kenyan public universities.
(2001) Aduol, Francis O.
A model for the estimation of student unit costs and the staffing requirements for university academic programmes is presented. The development of the model starts off with the specification of a staff distribution matrix, which sets out the proportions of the various staff levels in a given staff category that are needed to service at a particular degree level. The categories of staff considered are teaching (academic), senior administrative, technical, clerical, and semi-skilled. Within a given category of staff are considered various staff levels, e.g. Professor, Senior Lecturer and Lecturer in the case of the teaching staff category. The academic programmes are considered to be taken at the Bachelor's, Master's and the Doctorate degree levels. Ratios between numbers of staff in a given level within a category, as well as ratios of staff within the category needed to service at the various degree levels are specified a priori. Academic (teaching) student-staff ratios for the various programmes are also set out a priori. Student-staff ratios for the other categories of staff are then computationally derived from the academic student-staff ratios. For each staff category a staff distribution matrix is then worked out. With the staff distribution matrix thus specified, the student unit cost and staffing requirement for a given academic programme are computed through various manipulations on the matrix. As a test example, the model is used to estimate student unit cost and staffing requirements for the six public universities in Kenya
A model for the establishment of an integrated regional geodetic datum
(1993) Aduol, Francis O.
A model for the establishment of an integrated geodetic datum covering a region is treated. The integrated geodetic datum is understood here to comprise the geoid, the reference ellipsoid, and the positional coordinates. A comprehensive unified solution model including the three parameters comprising the datum is considered. The estimation model adopted rigorously incorporates determined prior information in the estimation of the datum parameters. Mathematical models together with the pertinent observation equations are presented, followed by a description of the procedure for the actual setting up of the datum. The observational scheme is based on a system of modular traverses anchored on a trilateration of GPS baselines.
Network analysis as an alternative tool for understanding and intervening in informal housing: case studies from Nairobi, Kenya
(2011) Omenya, Alfred
This paper highlights possible areas of application of network analysis to analyse aspects of informal housing. It illustrates three network concepts: ego-centric networks (ties of individuals); networks towards collaborative action (ties that groups involved in various aspects of housing use to access resources); and networks of exchange (general ties defined by the resources they are used to access). Using examples from two low income settlements in Nairobi, the paper illustrates how each of the three concepts may be used to analyse empirical data. There are few previous studies of how these networks function in housing. However, there is a link between the network patterns and quality of informal housing. Analysing the networks shows how resources are actually accessed in informal settlements, providing useful insights for enhancement of various ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ outcomes of informal housing initiatives; helping give ‘new lenses’ through which informality can be better understood.
A networks approach to understanding the role of the market and the State in housing: the cases of Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg South Africa
(2005) Omenya, A
This paper outlines the concept of 'housing networks' to reveal housing problems in the context of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Nairobi, Kenya. It first defines housing networks and outlines areas of knowledge where the 'networks concept' has been used. The paper then develops a case for the application of 'networks' in understanding urban housing problems, focusing on the roles of the State, the market and civil society. It explores resource origins, allocation, flows and destination in low-income housing in Nairobi and Johannesburg. It argues that the networks for land delivery make land inaccessible for low-income households in both cities. The means of accessing finance for housing available to the poor tend to be exploitative despite government regulation in the case of Johannesburg. Provision of infrastructure, services and social amenities ignore the collective resources of low-income households. Labour and sweat equity concepts are misplaced in light of cheap labour and unemployment, particularly in Nairobi. Building standards, materials and technology favour the upper-income groups despite allowance in both cities for lower building standards. Key lessons and conclusions are drawn in conclusion
A Networks Approach to Understanding the Role of the Market and the State in Housing: The Cases of Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa
(2008) Omenya, A
This paper presents an outline case for use of ‘housing networks concept’ to unpack housing problems in the context of Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya. It begins by defining housing networks and outlining areas of knowledge where the ‘networks concept’ has been used. The paper then develops a case for application of ‘networks’ in understanding urban housing problems, focusing on the roles of the state, the market and civil society. It explores resource origins, allocation, flows and destination in low-income housing in Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa. The paper argues that the networks for land delivery make land inaccessible for the low-income in both cities. The means of accessing finance for housing available to the poor tend to be exploitative despite government regulation in the case of Johannesburg. Provision of infrastructure, services and social amenities ignore the collective resources of the low-income. Labour and sweat equity concepts are misplaced in light of cheap labour and unemployment, particularly in Nairobi. Building standards, materials and technology favour the upper- income despite allowance in both cities for lower building standards. Key lessons and conclusions are drawn at the end.

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