Impact of zoning regulations on sustainable Urban development: a case of Riverside neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This research investigates the impacts of zoning regulation on urban sustainability with specific case of Riverside neighbourhood of Nairobi. The objectives of the study were to document land uses and development densities occasioned by changes in zoning regulations for the neighbourhood, to establish the impacts of zoning regulations on water supply, sewer system, parking and road capacities and then evolve an alternative policy framework to guide developments in the neighbourhood. The study set out to answer three questions namely; how has zoning regulations impacted on the neighbourhood’s land uses?, how has the zoning regulations impacted on water supply, sewer systems, roads and parking facilities in the neighbourhood? and what measures should be put in place for sustainable development of the neighbourhood? Likewise, the study made an assumption that an increase in development density devoid of infrastructure expansion erodes the sustainability of a neighbourhood. The nature of the study dictated that both qualitative and quantitative approaches be adopted with data collected from the target population which was the properties. It therefore meant that different actors for the properties in the study area were involved for data collection. The study establishes that zoning regulations have changed three times from the year 2006 with minimal infrastructural investments. Whereas densification has been fronted as a strategy towards urban sustainability, the study establishes that densification devoid of infrastructural growth coupled by mix of land use activities creates further urban challenges that hinder a neighbourhood’s sustainability. The study found out that Riverside neighbourhood is experiencing densification with minimal infrastructural investments hence stands at higher risk of veering off the sustainability path. In order to ameliorate the situation and embrace sustainability for the neighbourhood the study came up with four recommendations notably; Appraisal of the infrastructural requirement, planning and implementation, enactment of zoning policy a shift from ad hoc zoning regulations, land use integration, neighbourhood greenery policy.