Sustainable Urban Street Design for Economic Regeneration: A Study of Nairobi’s Eastern Central Business District

Abstract

Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, accounts for around 45% of the country’s GDP, making it an important economic hub in East Africa. Amid this economic vibrancy, there has been a noticeable downturn in activity in the capital’s once-thriving eastern Central Business District (CBD). This research aims to identify the several factors that contribute to this drop. Despite this, the Eastern Side of the CBD still generates about 25% of Nairobi’s annual revenue. However, businesses have moved to other parts of the city, as evidenced by closed stores, empty spaces, lower tenancy rates, and offers on new leases for abandoned shops. The research examines every aspect of the situation; the available pedestrians’ space, roadside parking, street width, cleanliness, traffic patterns, opening hours, shoppers’ safety, turnover, land use patterns, availability of social spaces and amenities, high-rise development issues, residential availability, and regulations governing street use. The research examines these facets and uncovers the underlying causes of the economic downturn in Nairobi’s Eastern CBD. By conducting this thorough analysis, the report offers concrete recommendations for stakeholders, urban planners, and legislators, helping them to formulate effective sustainable regeneration strategies. The research provides workable alternatives for regeneration, taking cues from the successful urban design interventions on Mama Ngina Street, where pedestrian-friendly enhancements resulted in a 27% fall in reported crime rates.