| dc.description.abstract | 'PROUD of our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity and determined to live in peace and unity as one indivisible sovereign nation', is a preamble statement of The Constitution of Kenya.
Into independence however. when nationhood becomes a cornerstone for progress, ethnicity - negative ethnicity - has arguably been the single aspect of diversity that has generated the greatest difficulties in enhancing national cohesion and integration (National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008).
This study therefore focuses on investigating the potential of pedestrian streets as a tool to enhance the social cohesion and integration. This is by establishing an integrated network of Pedestrian Street that brings these ethnic and cultural diversities together, for mingling, interactions and appreciations. and as a result refutes any ethnic disparities. This is according to their functionality in terms of various activities and facilities provided, besides walking through, the design's sense of mystery, locality, aesthetics and the choice of materials amongst other parameters.
The study scope that contains the geographical and theoretical scopes makes the part of the research. Geographical scope has explained the study area which is the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) particularly the Aga Khan Walk, the City Hall Way, Kirnathi Street. Mama Ngina and Kaunda Street. Theoretical scope explains the relation between the Theory of Positive Interpersonal Ties and the study scope.
The study is guided by the research objectives which include; To evaluate the status of the pedestrian streets in terms of size and facilities in the Nairobi Central Business District (C8D); investigating the potential of street-level social integration and cohesion in Nairobi Central Business District; To identify the challenges. constraints and opportunities of establishing an integrated network of a pedestrian street that enhances social integration and cohesion and to propose street-level spatial strategies, programs and projects that would enhance maximum integration and cohesion.
In order to do proper investigations, certain research questions have been asked, as to what is the status of the existing pedestrian street in the Central Business District'; What is the potential of street-level social integration and cohesion in Nairobi CBD?; What are the challenges, constraints and opportunities of establishing socially integrative and cohesive street in Nairobi CBD?; and Which strategies, programs and projects would enhance maximum street-level social integration and cohesion in Nairobi CBD?
In order to achieve the objectives two hypotheses have been developed and they include: An integrated network of pedestrian streets in the Nairobi CBD will not enhance communities' social integration and cohesion, this being the null hypothesis. An Alternative hypothesis then follows as interactions in the integrated network of pedestrian streets in the Nairobi CBO will enhance communities' social integration and cohesion. This leads to the study significance and ultimate definition of key terms.
The research methodology has been designed, which is based on case studies and literature by previous researchers on urban environments and pedestrian ways. To facilitate the process, research population has been identified, sampling procedures developed and data collection techniques that include observations and interviews as well as data recording and presentation tools. After data processing and analysis, there is possible use of findings, and recommendations have been done and then the conclusions whereby the hypothesis outcome has been explained. | en_US |
