Nairobi’s urban development is under threat due to reactive planning, lack of vision, and poor coordination among stakeholders, according to Nasra Nanda, CEO of Kenya Green Building Society and Special Elect MCA in Nairobi City County.
During an interview with Radio Generation on Tuesday, Nasra said that the city’s growth often prioritizes assets over residents, undermining livability and investment potential.
“Reactive planning and disregard for residents’ needs threaten Nairobi’s development,” Nasra said on Tuesday.
She explained that poorly planned developments, such as petrol stations or bars in residential areas, result from a lack of proactive leadership and unclear stakeholder roles.
“Until we think strategically about what we want from our cities or the built environment, we’ll constantly be reacting,” Nasra added.
The CEO highlighted the importance of collaboration between professionals, financiers, and government to create functional, attractive cities.
“Proper collaboration and strategic design are essential to attract investment and improve quality of life,” she said.
Nasra also emphasized that urban development should be human-centered, focusing on infrastructure that serves people, such as walkable streets, shaded pavements, and orderly neighborhoods.
She also criticized the current trend of replacing residential areas with hotels or high-rise buildings without proper planning.
“There was a privilege in having well-designed neighborhoods and building upwards does not mean building haphazardly. Unfortunately, in Nairobi, you’re fighting for your life as you’re running through roads… we don’t build for people. We build for assets to showcase, but not for people,” Nasra noted.
In addition, the CEO stressed that visionary leadership, clear roles among stakeholders, and inclusive planning are critical to transform Nairobi into a city that supports both residents and investors.
