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GeoDesign of Manyatta: An Informal Settlement
The following Story Maps were generated through research undertaken in the Manyatta informal settlement, in the Port City of Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa. The overall research project was designed as a dissertation under the auspices of the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University and its Institutional Review Board (IRB) https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/578/ . The study’s overarching goal was to demonstrate how geospatial information, together with effective partnerships, can advance the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Kenya’s National Vision 2030 Development Plan.
The aim of the research study was to identify the needs of the community living in informal environments and to clinically address the needs using geospatial information, participatory action research, situational analysis together with problem tree analysis and stakeholder analysis all in partnership with the government of the City and key stakeholders of the community to inform the decision making processes.
The Story Map is organized to introduce the existing situation in the Manyatta informal settlement and prescribe appropriate panaceas to restore the dignity of communities and establish livable, eco-friendly, resilient, and sustainable residential neighbourhoods. It also presents the structural elements that were considered in the GeoDesign process. Accordingly, the GeoDesign process yielded a long-term structural design that is further translated into neighbourhood designs. This is accompanied by pictorial and tabular illustrations and interactive 3D models prepared in City Engine.
The city of Kisumu is an inland port city in Western Kenya that is situated on the northern Winam gulf at an elevation of 3,711 feet. It is considered the third largest city in Kenya after Mombasa and Nairobi and the second largest city in the Lake Victoria basin after Kampala (Uganda). The City registers a population of 721,082 persons according to the 2019 Census conducted by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Kisumu City also enjoys the designation by United Nations as a Millennium City of the world.
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Kisumu city also houses the highest proportions of inhabitants living in informal settlements estimated at 47%. The informal settlements include Obunga, Bandani, Nyalenda A and B, Manyatta A and B, Kaloleni and Kibos. Manyatta informal settlement became the target location for the participatory action research study.
Manyatta Settlement
Manyatta is situated within the slum belt of Kisumu County. The informal settlement is subdivided into two; Manyatta A and Manyatta B. It is further sub-divided into various sub units namely Manyatta A (Kondele,Flamingo,Gonda,Magadi,Kona Mbuta,Metameta) and Manyatta B (Upper Kanyakwar, Lower Kanyakwar, Kuoyo). Manyatta A currently registers a dense spatial informal built forms whereas Manyatta B tends to exhibit low density built forms and features rural characteristics.
Manyatta A and Manyatta B neighbourhood blocks
The nine residential sub units making up Manyatta A and B
Existing situation
Manyatta is characterized by informal settlements. It make up the slum belt in Kisumu City and function as a dormitory to Central Business District (CBD) workforce endows it with a sensitive growth curve. Most of the basic services such as public health services and tertiary education are sourced from outside the confines of boundary. It is important to note that there is no existing plan for Manyatta and hence perpetuated the rate of haphazard developments and infringe of public safety.
Some of the glaring realities confronting Manyatta community due to haphazard development and laissez-faire spirit.
Current distribution of Land Use in Manyatta
Spatial contrast between existing situation in Manyatta (Kondele sub unit) and the anticipated "future that they want".
The Road map from current informal state to a desirable future horizon.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Structuring Elements
Various design elements were inculcated in ensuring a better, livable, compatible, harmonious and sustainable environment in Manyatta. They included but not limited to space and its definition, such as: elements of form, urban functions (living, working, leisure, mobility and administration) urban fabric and environmental factors: (precipitation, temperatures, humidity, wind and lighting. This was done to ensure that there was functional efficiency, improved environmental conditions, ease of movement, community integration and character (a place with its own identity)
The spatial design of Manyatta slum belt was also primarily informed by situational analysis of the social, economic, environmental and infrastructural landscapes. Some of the structuring elements that massively contributed to the design included, but not limited to;
- Existing Developments- Manyatta sits within the slum belt of Kisumu County. It therefore characterized by informal settlements and developments. Dense structural development is evident in Manyatta A attributed by abutting the highway bypass and the primary distributor (Kibos road). The design took into account the existing developments and ensured no unnecessary demolition of existing structures that would negate the social, economic and environmental facets of the town.
- Road networks- The target area enjoys the beneficence of growing proximity to the Kisumu-Busia Highway. The International trunk road has consequently impacted in the general configuration of developments in Manyatta. That's not all, the exhibited hierarchies of road networks are from access roads to collector streets, primary and secondary distributors. The existing local roads provide access to various land uses. The proposed access roads are pivotal in connecting missing links and therefore improved accessibility and development productivity. All roads are supposed to conform to the lawfully set standards.
- Riparians- River Auji and Kothwuon river are some of the county’s perennial rivers. The design ensured that plots and developments proximity to the river conformed to the lawful stipulations governing a riparian reserve i.e. 15-30m conservation buffer provision on both sides of the river.
- Topography- Slope analysis was performed to help guide the allocations of various land uses in the area. A contour map was also developed to provide a visual picture of the Manyatta’s topography. The contours informed on the design of road networks,storm water drainage, water reticulation networks and sewer reticulation lines.
- Soil typology- The soil typology determined the spatial distribution of building densities. Vast sections of Manyatta B were characterized by poor clay soils and therefore it could only accommodate low and medium density building densities.
Development models
Multiple development models defined by the area’s development character were adopted to guide the logical design of the structures and detailed land use plans. The alternative development models incorporated in the design were zero model, transport oriented development model, mixed-use model and an integrated model.
- Zero Model- This model depicts a situation whereby the area’s urban structure is mercilessly left in the hands of the market forces. Manyatta’s continual operation in the laissez faire atmosphere will result further into haphazard developments, poor accessibility, inadequate basic facilities and incompatible mix of land uses. There being no planning interventions, the future end state would be a much worse situation than the existing one.
- Transport oriented development model- This model derives its weight from the urban development which has from time immemorial mushroomed along the transportation corridors. It also reproduces an inventory of land uses that are entirely dependent on the transport corridor e.g. commercial zones. It therefore advocates for a better transport network for development to infiltrate in every corner of the town and its hinterland. The existing urban form of Manyatta A and B is characterized by a tendency to adopt a linear type of development especially along Kibos Road, Carwash-Sije Road,Corner Lego-Sije road and wandiege-walgudha road.
Characterization of ribbon developments along major centers and transport corridors
- Mixed Use Model- Mixed land use development model envisages functional integration where compatible land uses are located together. This prevents the occurrence of spread effects and uncontrolled spill over developments into Manyatta periphery-Manyatta B. The model is characterized by: core revitalization, vertical development concept and mixed-use development. This model also involves urban renewal of the informal and decayed areas, with the aim of revitalizing them and bringing them up to modern neighbourhood development standards.
- Integrated model- This model delivers the most preferred development growth scenario that should be inoculated into the planning of Manyatta to cushion it from any adverse effects of market forces. It attempts to amalgamate all the advantages of the zero model, transit oriented model and mixed land use model to reproduce a comprehensive integrated development scenario that would steer development to a sustainable desirable destination. The significant qualities of the integrated model include, encouraging densification and urban renewal, energy efficiency developments through the adoption of mixed- use developments, protection of environmentally fragile areas through their protection and conservation, limiting urban expansion through compact developments and lowering the overall cost of infrastructure development.
Proposed land Use designs
Spatial Planning has its universal presentation guidelines. These design guidelines ensure universality, understanding and distinct representation of land use zones. In this regard, various land use zones have been classified under the Kenyan Physical Planning Handbook, 2008, into ten zones which are represented by a land use code, land use name number and color as outlined in the table below;
Table shows the Land Use Zones and Planning Colors according to the Kenyan Physical Planning handbook (2008)
Structure Plan- The structure plan is a design illustration of the broad land use zones and gives the preferred urban growth direction for Manyatta settlement. The broad land use zones exhibited include; residential, industrial, educational, recreational, public purpose, commercial, public utility, transportation and conservation. The structure plan covers an approximate area of 494.56Ha. It provides the platform for the development of the detailed land use plan for Manyatta.
The table above outlines the proposed structure plan land use budget
- Zone 0 (Proposed Residential Land Use) - Residential land use is categorized into three; low density, medium density and high density residential land use zones. The recommended plot sizes for these densities as per the Physical Planning Handbook are outlined in the table below;
The table shows the proposed residential land use plot sizes
The table shows the residential land use coverages
- Zone 1 (Industrial land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 1.42 Ha. It is important to note that there was no existing industry in Manyatta. The proposed industrial land use zones include: 6 Juakali sheds.
- Zone 2 (Educational land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 27.66Ha. The existing land use include : 13 nursery schools, 10 primary schools, a secondary school and proposed land use include: a primary school, 4 secondary schools, 2 Vocational Centers and a talent development Center.
- Zone 3 (Recreational land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 40.14 Ha. The existing land uses comprises of : 4 playgrounds,a Social hall,3 Wetlands and proposed land use include : 7 playgrounds, a Social hall,a public space,a Botanical garden, a 30m Auji river buffer and a 10m Kothwuon river buffer.
- Zone 4 (Public Purpose land use) - This land use covers a total area of 20.65Ha. The existing facilities include: churches, 2 Mosques, a police patrol base,a post office and 4 private clinics and proposed land uses include: 5 public health centers,3 Public libraries,2 police posts,2 Chief’s Camps, a Gender-Based Rescue Center,a rehabilitation centre, a Community Resource Center ,an administration office and a Cultural Center.
- Zone 5 (Commercial land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 21.37Ha. The existing commercial land uses comprises of : 3 markets,2 petrol stations and commercial plots and proposed land uses includes: 14 nodal commercial plots,6 petrol stations,5 markets, 6 shopping Malls.
- Zone 6 (Public Utility land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 4.09Ha. There was no public utility land use in Manyatta and therefore the proposed land uses include : a solid waste management facility ,14 public sanitation blocks and 18 waste collection points.
- Zone 7 (Transportation land use) - This land use covers an approximate area of 125.30Ha. This equals to 25% of the total area. It consists of 7 car and lorry parks, and a road reserve.
The table above shows the proposed road classification by width. The road reserves in Manyatta were classified into three access roads, collector streets, primary and secondary distributors. This hierarchy of road reserve will ensure seamless flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic
The map above shows the Structure Plan comprising of existing and proposed land use zones.
Sub-unit designs
This section presents the spatial and 3D designs for the various residential neighbourhoods in Manyatta. They include; Kondele, Flamingo, Gonda, Magadi,Kona Maji & Kona Mbuta, Metameta,Upper Kanyakwar, Lower Kanyakwar and Kuoyo. Each sub-unit was unique in terms of the proposed land use, road connection and building density.
Kondele design
Borders Metameta to the West and Flamingo sub unit to the North. It also sits adjacent to the Kisumu-Busia international trunk road with an area coverage of 29.08 Ha. Kondele slopes from North West to South East at an elevation ranging from 1184m to 1170m. The spatial coverage of land uses was designed to apportion 59%,23%,8%,5%,3% and 1% to Residential, transportation, commercial, recreational, public purpose, industrial and public utility. Kondele’s transportation land use consists of access streets, collector streets and arterial streets. Its upper section adopts a transit oriented model with Kibos road. The proposed development is characterized by high density built forms.
3D design of Kondele sub unit
Flamingo design
Borders Gonda to the North, Kondele to the South, Kona Mbuta and Magadi to the East.It covers an approximate area of 37.06Ha at an elevation ranging 1166m to 1179m. The spatial design is encompassed by Residential (40%), Industrial (1%), Educational (15%), Recreational (5%), Public Purpose (13%), Commercial (5%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (20%) land uses. Additionally, built forms proposed were high density in nature.
3D design of Flamingo sub unit
Gonda Sub-unit design
Borders Lower Kanyakwar to the North, Flamingo to the South and Magadi to the East. Gonda is proposed to register a spatial coverage of 32.68Ha at an elevation ranging from 1151m to 1172m. The proposed development is that of high density comprising of land uses in the neighbourhood include Residential (45%), Industrial (1%), Educational (13%), Recreational (4%), Public Purpose (11%), Commercial (4%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (21%).
3D design of Gonda Sub-unit
Magadi Sub unit design
Sits South to Kona Mbuta sub unit ,East to Gonda and Flamingo sub units and West to Upper Kanyakwar. The area coverage for Magadi approximates 39.65Ha and undulates from North to South at elevations ranging from 1166m to 1155m. It records proposed land uses of Residential (59%), Educational (10%), Recreational (3%), Public Purpose (4%), Commercial (4%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (19%).
3D design of Magadi Subunit
Kona Mbuta design
Kona Mbuta is situated to the Eastern part of Manyatta A and covers an approximate area of 12.73Ha. The area slopes from East to the West at elevations ranging from 1774m to 1163m. With a proposed high density development, the spatial allocations include Residential (68%), Educational (3%), Recreational (8%), Commercial (2%), and Transportation (19%).
3D design of Kona Mbuta sub-unit
Metameta design
Situated on the northern section of Manyatta A. Its siting along the busy Kibos road informed the proposed ribbon development. Metameta consumes a spatial coverage of 22.49Ha and slopes from West to East at elevations ranging from 1175m to 1163m. Its spatial design comprises of Residential (64%), Industrial (1%), Educational (1%), Recreational (1%), Public Purpose (2%), Commercial (7%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (24%). With a proposed high density development, the residential built forms would register 3 floors at a plot coverage of 65%.
3D design of Metameta sub-unit
Upper Kanyakwar design
Consolidates the Northern segment of Manyatta B amassing a spatial coverage of 95.79Ha. The area slopes from North to South at elevations ranging from 1164m to 1152m. Along its eastern boundary flows river Auji. Given its rural nature, poor soil typology and proximity to Manyatta A, a medium density built form was proposed to characterize its development. The proposed land uses in Upper Kanyakwar included Residential (50%), Industrial (1%), Educational (7%), Recreational (9%), Public Purpose (7%), Commercial (5%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (20%).
3D design of Upper Kanyakwar Sub-unit
Lower Kanyakwar design
The sub unit registers an approximate area of 65. 14Ha.It forms a spatial interface between Manyatta A and Kuoyo sloping from North East to South West at elevations ranging from 1155m to 1144m. Lower Kanyakwar also sits juxtaposed to Auji River which flows along its boundary to separate it from Kuoyo sub unit. Its built forms are proposed to assume a medium density characteristic. The proposed development comprised of Residential (65%), Industrial (1%), Recreational (5%), Public Purpose (2%), Commercial (5%), Public Utility (1%) and Transportation (21%).
3D design of Lower Kanyakwar
Kuoyo design
Kuoyo sits at the Southern part of Manyatta B and borders Lower Kanyakwar to the South. The neighbourhood slopes from North East to South East at elevations ranging from 1153m to 1142m. This has dictated the flow of Auji River and Kothwuon River that drains the sub unit. Subject to the Geodesign process, the proposed low density development would comprise of Residential (54%), Industrial (1%), Educational (7%), Recreational (9%), Public Purpose (3%), Commercial (3%), Public Utility (2%) and Transportation (21%) land uses. It is worth noting, that the rural nature and poor soil characteristics to hold higher densities of built forms informed the proposed designation as a low density neighbourhood.
3D design of Kuoyo Sub-unit
CONCLUSION
This GeoDesign of Manyatta, Kisumu Kenya is the expanded portion of a dissertation done in coordination with The Institute for Conscious Global Change (ICGC) and Antioch University in a scholar practitioner exercise.The research and pilot used geospatial information technologies like: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GeoDesign, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), etc. together with strong effective partnerships demonstrated how these two elements can and should be considered in the implementation the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Comprehensive planning is key if we are to move away from a failed model of piecemeal fragmented project-based development to a holistic and integrated model if eradication of poverty is to be achieved sustainably. A government led process with citizen engagement builds trust and creates a sense of ownership for the development and well-being of the community. The pilot research also highlighted the important role academia can play in harnessing the skills and talents of the brilliant young adults in developing countries who are yearning to have more say and play an active role in the future development of their respective countries. It is my hope that you will find this model of development using geospatial, statistical and observational data in a participatory manner helpful.