An ambitious Master Plan handed over by JICA to the County of Nairobi is set to transform Nairobi into a world-class city. The Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) 2014-2030 was developed through a consultative process that incorporated views from the private and public sectors, academia, political leadership and the general public. The process begun in 2012 and was completed in 2014.
JICA’s Chief Representative Mr. Hideo Eguchi remarked during the handover ceremony: “We are happy to finally hand over the ambitious plan that will make Nairobi a truly global city.” He added that Nairobi has a lot of potential, sentiments that were echoed by H.E. Tatsushi Terada, the Ambassador of Japan to the republic of Kenya. “Implementation of the plan will make Nairobi a globally attractive city that is iconic for regional integration and sustainability,” noted Ambassador Terada.
H.E. Dr. Evans Kidero, the Governor of Nairobi lauded Japan’s support to Kenya over the last 50 years. Having recently returned from a trip to Japan, he thanked JICA for the invitation and said he had observed the advanced infrastructural development and solid waste management. He also thanked JICA for its support to the development of the Master Plan, which he notes will “harness the enormous economic potential, increase energy efficiency, reduce social inequity and create sustainable livelihoods for all.”
To achieve this, several flagship projects have been prioritized, including decentralizing services from the Central Business District (CBD), construction and widening of roads, railway city development, development of new landfill sites, improved water distribution network and storm water drainage system. Implementation of this ambitious plan will ensure sustainable development and free the city of challenges currently experienced such as serious traffic jams, and Nairobi is indeed poised to become a first-class city.
We have a lot of Professionals in this country, and we have lots of opportunities despite having these professionals.
City planning is a complex issue, and if JICA has offered a hand why not ?
In the sector I work in, I have seen the Japs together with a few Ministries technicians develop something like this. It does not work when foreigners develop something you’ll be using on a day to day basis, it is normally an unworkable document because the Japs way of living, culture and standards are different from our euro centric ones.
The thing is, if you are getting something for free then you can’t complain when it doesn’t work. Look at Ngong rd, an unworkable rd and now we have to spend more money on the crazy junctions because the Japs designed them like Tokyo rds.