Brief Notes On Dandora

Abstract

The Dandora Community Development Project of -the Nairobi City Council was started in 1975 with funding from the Government and a loan/credit from the World Bank. The effort was primarily a response to the identified need for housing in the low income bracket. Judging from the increase of unplanned settlements in the city, it was evident that the existing housing stock was inadequate. It was also realised that conventional approaches to the provision of housing would be inadequate to meet the demand as well as being unaffordable by the people in need of housing. The site and service approach was geared towards implementation of J affordable Urban Services. Its provision of basic infrastructure was necessary to enable people to construct their own houses. Sufficient community facilities such as schools, health facilities and employment opportunities were also planned. I It was also intended that the Nairobi City Council wou,ld\ through this project, acquire the necessary ability to deal with the pressure of repid urbanisation, not only by improving its management procedures but also by improving its own finances. '- The project consists of 6,000 plots, averaging about 120 sq. meters in size. each with its own toilet and shower already built, four primary schools, two health centres, two community centres, 384 market stalls, a sports centre, workshops and shopping areas. The infrastructure for housing consists of sewers, water supply, refuse collection, roads with surface water drainage, street lighting and open spaces