dc.description.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. | en_US |