Urban Renewal Potential: A Case For Kaloleni Estate, Kisumu Town

Abstract

Housing shortage is a major challenge for urban areas and cities in Kenya. Management and maintenance challenges have led to decay of most housing stock in our urban areas. While urban renewal is seen as means of both improving the urban fabric and providing housing there is a policy and legislative deficit in Kenya for carrying out the same. It is the aim of this study is to identify potentials for renewal and propose a viable framework for renewal for Kaloleni Kisumu. The primary data collected in this study included age, gender, socio-economic data of the residents of Kaloleni Estate, the state of the housing, land uses, land ownership, neighbourhood associations and respondent’s participation, and their attitudes towards urban renewal. The target population is the residents of Kaloleni Estate, NGOs operating within Kaloleni and government agencies concerned with housing and urban development. The study began by a review of relevant literature of urban renewal around the world to provide a basis for situating the study. This literature included the historical evolution of urban renewal, the theories of urban renewal and institutional and legislative frameworks. The study is situated in the 100-year-old residential estate of Kaloleni, Kisumu City and is bounded by Ondieki Highway, Ramogi Road, and Sekou Touré Road. The primary data is collected through physical and social surveys on the detailed study area of Kaloleni estate selected through random cluster sampling. Secondary data was obtained from various libraries, resource centers, internet sources and government agencies. The units of observation include the target group and all the spatial and sectoral aspects of the neighbourhood. The population constitutes all the stakeholders comprising the institutional set up of Kaloleni. It is the conclusion of this study that that Kaloleni Estate has potential for urban renewal which is justified by evidence from the socio-economic survey of the households, the low quality of housing fabric including high household densities, poor environmental quality and strong informal neighbourhood networks. The study recommends an integrated urban renewal approach for Kaloleni and makes policy recommendations for implementing urban renewal.