Kenya has launched a new urban expansion planning programme.
The plan is aimed at helping counties stay ahead of rapid urban growth by protecting land for roads, public infrastructure and future development before unplanned settlements emerge.
The Kenya Urban Expansion Planning (UXP) Programme was launched during the Urban Expansion Planning Cluster One Technical Workshop, in Kisumu county from August 3 to 6 under the theme; Planning Today for Tomorrow’s Urban Growth.
The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Council of Governors, Africa Urban Lab, county governments and other stakeholders.
It aims to help counties anticipate urban growth instead of reacting after development has already taken place.
Speaking during the launch, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the programme would equip counties with practical tools to guide sustainable urban development and avoid the costly consequences of poor planning.
“We are here with the purpose of launching the Urban Expansion Planning Initiative to shape the future of sustainable urban growth in Kenya,” Nyong’o said.
He noted while rapid urbanisation presents opportunities for economic transformation, inadequate planning can fuel the growth of informal settlements, traffic congestion, inefficient land use, environmental degradation and inadequate infrastructure.
“When properly planned and managed, urbanisation can stimulate economic growth, attract investment, create employment, expand municipal revenues and improve the quality of life for millions of Kenyans,” he said.
The inaugural workshop has brought together political leaders and multidisciplinary technical teams from Kisumu, Homa Bay and Kakamega counties.
It has also attracted representatives from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the National Land Commission, development partners, the Kenya Institute of Planners, universities, professional bodies and the private sector.
Under the initiative, participating counties will identify areas likely to experience future urban expansion and protect strategic transport corridors and other public infrastructure from encroachment. They will also identify and safeguard land required for housing, schools, hospitals, environmental conservation and other public facilities before development pressures intensify.
Nyong’o said the programme would support the preparation of practical urban expansion plans capable of guiding orderly growth over the coming decades.
Unlike conventional planning approaches, which sometimes result in plans that remain unimplemented, the Urban Expansion Planning model places implementation at the centre of the planning process.
It encourages continuous collaboration between political leaders and technical experts. This is intended to ensure proposed projects are realistic, adequately funded and integrated into county planning, budgeting and investment frameworks.
The resulting plans will guide the implementation and review of County Spatial Plans, Municipal Spatial Plans, County Integrated Development Plans, Annual Development Plans and county budgets.
During the four-day workshop, county teams are preparing draft urban expansion plans for selected cities, municipalities and planning areas.
The plans are expected to provide practical roadmaps for accommodating future population growth, protecting public land and infrastructure corridors, attracting investment and improving access to essential services.
Discussions are focusing on urban governance, land management, infrastructure investment, municipal development, financing mechanisms and the use of evidence in planning for sustainable urban growth.
Nyong’o said lessons from the pilot workshop would inform similar engagements across the country and contribute to the development of a national framework for proactive urban expansion planning.
The programme brings together the Council of Governors, Africa Urban Lab, national and county governments, development partners, professional bodies and universities in a joint effort to ensure urbanisation supports economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Its backers say the initiative will position Kenya as a regional leader in forward-looking urban planning by encouraging counties to prepare for future growth before development pressures become difficult and costly to manage.
