Kounkuey Design Initiative

🌟 𝐊𝐃𝐈 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce that the 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 has been recognised as part of the 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞!🏆 This award celebrates our work on urban flooding mitigation and the enhancement of public spaces in the 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 through 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐍𝐛𝐒). This plan, developed through a 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 with the 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, reflects their collective vision and aspirations. Huge thanks to our partners the 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲, Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa GIZ Kenya, and SwedBio for their invaluable support! Join us at World Urban Forum 12 Egypt in Cairo as we share our approach to co-designing resilient and inclusive solutions for East African urban centres. 🌍🏙️ Water as Leverage Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Deltares #WaterAsLeverage #CityChampion #InclusiveCities #GreenInfrastructure #NatureBasedSolutions #KDI #WUF12

🌍 Join us at World Urban Forum 12 as we launch the next iteration of Integrated and Inclusive Infrastructure Framework (3iF) for Kenya, a comprehensive guide focused on informal settlements, for practical, just, climate-resilient infrastructure that addresses the needs of all residents! 🌿 📅 Date: Nov 7, 2024 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 📍 Location: Accessibility Pavilion | #Accessibility2030 Hosted by Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) x (Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) , this event will showcase other innovations in holistic infrastructure delivery in Kenya. This session will feature experts from across the built environment, including: • Arch. Florence Nyole (AAK) • Jack Campbell Clause (KDI) • Mikaela Patrick (AT2030 & Global Disability Innovation Hub • Dr. Thaisa Comelli ( Tomorrow's Cities & UCL) • Robyn T. Emerson (Habitat for Humanity International & Women in Real Estate Kenya (WIRE) 🔗 Learn more about the current 3iF framework and join the conversation: www.3if.info #WUF12 #InclusiveCities #ClimateResilience #3iF #UrbanDevelopment #Kenya

Discover urban rivers as key areas for inclusive urban transformation in times of climate change. Save the date and join our Event on Climate Justice and the Value of People Led Urban River Regeneration (Pearls 2). WUF 12, Cairo November 06th 17h-18h30. World Urban Forum, World Resources Institute, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), Urban Ecological Planning | NTNU, NTNU Faculty of Architecture and Design, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Kota Kita Foundation, City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg City Parks, Prefeitura Municipal de Belém, University of Kassel, Habitat Norge, Nile University - NU, Habitat UNI, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trialog e.V., Joe Mulligan, José Chong, Ahmad Rifai, Gugu Zondi, Ayanda Roji, Joy Mutai, Dina Shehayeb, Aklilu Fikresilassie, PhD., Mathews Wakhungu, PhD, Stine Kronsted Pedersen #WUF12 #ItAllStartsAtHome #ItAllStartsLocally #ItAllStartsTogether #ItAllStartsNow

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐔𝐅𝟏𝟐 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨 We’re (Joe Mulligan Regina O. Mathews Wakhungu, PhD , Jack Campbell Clause) heading to the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF 12) in Cairo from Nov 4-8. Our team will be part of key 9 sessions on inclusive urban development, nature-based solutions, and the critical role of communities in shaping resilient cities. We’re excited for this moment to exchange ideas, share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and connect with practitioners, activists, and decision-makers working on real-world solutions to urban injustice. We’re going to keep sharing updates in the lead up to, and during WUF, but please feel free to connect with us ahead of time! Florence Nyole World Urban Forum 12 Egypt Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Women in Real Estate Kenya (WIRE) African Centre for Cities Habitat for Humanity Kenya #WUF12 #KDI #UrbanInnovation #SustainableCities #NatureBasedSolutions #CommunityEmpowerment #Accessibility2030

KDI and partners' work featured on CNN Inside Africa this weekend! Check out the Nairobi excerpt below from CNN’s Inside Africa: Next Gen Cities episode. The feature highlights some of Africa’s most creative urbanists in Nairobi, Cape Town and Lagos, who are exploring innovative solutions to the key issues facing rapidly growing African cities today. https://lnkd.in/e8_zDGED In the Nairobi segment, Vera Bukachi Legros , KDI Alumnus and Cities and Resilience East Africa Lead at global sustainable development consulting firm Arup, spotlights KDI’s Productive Public Space Project. Alongside community partners like New Nairobi Dam Community Group (NNDC) , Kibera Action Group (KAGO) and others, the episode demonstrates how initiatives like Safe access to sanitation , safe play spaces, green infrastructure etc are setting the stage for a more sustainable and inclusive city. In settlements like Kibera where poverty, inequality, and vulnerability to climate change collide, the episode shows KDI’s tried and tested community-driven, participatory design and robust engineering approaches to inclusive, collaborative urban development. Also showcased in Nairobi are our partners at the GoDown Arts Centre and their work in Mukuru, and fantastic work in Kaloleni by our friends at The Book Bunk. In the other cities featured - Lagos and Cape Town, the narrative is similar, an undeniable surge of innovation and creativity led by organizations such African Centre for Cities and 𝟏𝟔 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢 in Cape Town and 𝐆𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 from Lagos are crafting innovative solutions that grasp the complex and interacting challenges African cities face. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolving future of cities across the continent!. Nairobi City County Arthur Adeya Joe Mulligan Regina O. #KPSP #KiberaPublicSpaceProject

🌍🌟  𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟯: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  🌟🌍 This year’s theme focuses on 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to build a safer, more resilient world. By investing in community-driven action, we can equip young leaders to drive disaster risk reduction forward. In Kenya, our 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗝𝗔 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 is setting a powerful example. Through leaders like, Prisca Okila and our community partners at Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) working with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), DARAJA is transforming how communities in 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶  city receive and respond to early weather alerts. But it’s more than just receiving information as DARAJA empowers vulnerable urban residents to 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  and 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸, helping to build a stronger, more prepared future for all. Starting in Nairobi’s informal settlements, DARAJA is growing across Kenya’s cities, driven by a mission to make early warning systems 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 and 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲. Through SMS, radio, and social media, communities are receiving timely, life-saving weather updates and building local preparedness programs that can save lives. This is a joined-up strategy supported by the #UKaidWISER Africa Programme and Lloyd's Register Foundation, connecting communities, improving resilience, and ensuring a safer tomorrow. . 📲🌦️ #DisasterRiskReduction #CommunityEmpowerment #DRR2024

On October 2nd, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our inspiring entrepreneurs from Kahawa Soweto, City Carton, and Kayole Soweto under the Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI) Nairobi project, funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD). This significant milestone marked the completion of a progressive journey filled with growth, learning, and innovation. We were honored to have representatives from Equity Bank Limited , Standard Chartered, Nairobi City County, Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP), and Absa Bank Kenya join us in celebrating these change-makers. Their presence emphasized the importance of collaboration between public, private, and community stakeholders to drive sustainable impact. Our graduates began their journey with Somo, participating in a comprehensive business development program designed to equip them with essential skills in financial management, marketing, and leadership. They learned how to intertwine business development with physical and social infrastructure improvements to ensure the longevity of their UFI projects and enhance their businesses' resilience. The journey didn’t end with training. Graduates participated in a series of intensive business coaching sessions, aiming to sharpen their strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. These sessions were broken down into workshops, individual coaching, and group activities. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the pitch session, where graduates confidently presented their innovative business ideas to a panel of experts. Their creativity, passion, and newfound skills shone as they received invaluable feedback to fine-tune their proposals, setting the stage for the next chapter of their entrepreneurial journey. We were deeply inspired by our keynote speaker, Mr. Nixon Sekoh, Head of NGOs and Embassies at Equity Bank Limited , who reminded our graduates that, “Your talent will bring you before kings.” His words served as a powerful reminder of the potential within each entrepreneur to rise and lead with impact. A special thank you goes to all our esteemed guests and partners who attended and supported this event, making it an unforgettable moment of empowerment and celebration. We couldn’t be prouder of these incredible entrepreneurs and are eager to see how they will continue to transform their communities, creating lasting change through their businesses. Here's to their bright futures as they embark on this new chapter! The World Bank NCBA Group SDI. (Slum Dwellers International) Akiba Mashinani Trust urbaMonde Regina O.Shirley Sang Jack Campbell Clause Chiteri Louis Annelyn Oranga Joe Mulligan Arthur Adeya #UFIGraduation #Entrepreneurship #CommunityEmpowerment #Innovation #Impact #UrbanFabricInitiative

On this World Habitat Day 2024, we reflect on the pressing issues faced by our cities & the urgent need to engage youth in creating a better urban future. This year’s theme, “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future,” resonates deeply as we see the potential of young people to drive change & co-create inclusive, resilient cities. Since April 2024, the families of Nairobi’s informal settlements have faced unimaginable hardship. Floods displaced over 200,000 people, & communities in Mathare and Mukuru bore the brunt of the devastation. However, rather than offering relief & recovery, the government’s response was marked by forced evictions and demolitions. These demolitions, carried out without adequate notice, compensation, or relocation plans, targeted already vulnerable communities while wealthier neighborhoods remained untouched. This blatant injustice has not only displaced people physically but has eroded their dignity and violated their basic rights. At Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), we believe that the key to rebuilding & reimagining cities lies in youth engagement & open participatory processes. Youth are not just the future—they are the present. Through collaborative processes that place them at the heart of urban development, young leaders in Nairobi’s informal settlements can help shape solutions that serve their communities. Whether it’s designing nature-based solutions to combat flooding or advocating for equitable housing policies, youth leadership is essential in building the cities of tomorrow. The ongoing forced evictions show the urgent need for equitable urban planning that prioritizes human rights over profit. The lack of proper relocation plans & fair compensation for those evicted undermines years of work towards a more just & equitable Nairobi. The future of urban resilience must include solutions that prioritize both the physical & social needs of all residents—particularly the most vulnerable. This World Habitat Day, we call on young people to rise & take action. By engaging in local leadership, raising their voices, & participating in urban planning processes, youth can challenge these injustices & help create cities that are safe, inclusive, & sustainable. The path to resilient urban economies is paved with the ideas & energy of the next generation. At KDI, we are proud to work alongside youth in Nairobi, empowering them to lead the charge for a better urban future. Together, we can build cities that serve everyone. Let’s make sure that, as we shape the future, we do so with the full engagement of our youth—because their voices, their ideas, and their leadership are essential to creating cities where every resident has a fair and dignified place to call home. GoDown Arts Centre Women in Real Estate Kenya (WIRE) Akiba Mashinani Trust SDI. (Slum Dwellers International) Public Space Network Habitat for Humanity International Amnesty International Kenya #WorldHabitatDay #YouthLeadership #InclusiveCities

We are honored to introduce Franklin Kirimi, the Fall 2024 MS in Sustainable Environmental Systems NATURA Network Early-Career Fellow! Mr. Kirimi is a Kenyan Landscape Architect focused on co-producing contextualized nature-based solutions (NBS) in collaboration with at-risk communities. At Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), he has worked on community-focused participatory planning and design of urban public spaces, particularly within informal and refugee settlements across East Africa. Through the 15-week NATURA Network’s Early Career Fellowship, Franklin is diving into the complexities of participatory planning strategies in NYC. His research is centered on innovative pathways for a just transition to nature-based solutions, ensuring all community members have access to safe and inclusive environmental amenities. Through his work, he aims to uncover potential unintended consequences of implementing green infrastructure, and co-create frameworks that empower communities in their efforts to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.   CONNECT WITH FRANKLIN: - Email fkirimi@pratt.edu , or connect with him through LinkedIn. - Respond to upcoming requests for interviews and engagement.   SAVE THE DATES! Attend one of his public Fellowship presentations & engagements (registration links and more information to come soon): Wednesday, October 16th, 5:00-6:15 pm (virtual) Public Research Presentation SES X NATURA Network Fellow - Franklin Kirimi & KDI’s work w/Sustainable Communities class Thursday, November 7th, 5:00-6:30 pm (virtual) Pratt Earth Action Week Participatory Science and Education on the Water (moderator) w/Delta Cities Coastal Resilience studio TBD (NOV./DEC.) Additional activities, including: Co-design workshop(s) NATURA Fellow research report back A SPECIAL THANKS to Yuliya Dzyuban for her advocacy and support of this fellowship and exchange opportunity! --- Pratt Institute Pratt Institute School of Architecture #NATURANetwork #Fellowship #Research #InternationalExchange #UrbanResilience #GreenInfrastructure #EnvironmentalJustice #CoDesign #ParticipatoryResearch #NatureBasedSolutions #NBS #CommunityEmpowerment #NATURA #Kenya #KDI #USA #NYC #Nairobi #NewYork #Pratt

📺 Join us tonight—October 2, 2024—on Citizen TV Ltd. Kenya #TownHall from 9pm (EAT) as we explore ways of integrating #AnticipatoryAction into social protection systems! We'll discuss how the Eastern #Africa region can enhance its systems to pre-allocate financing for rapid, large-scale delivery of anticipatory actions. Stakeholders will share their experiences, challenges, and best practices, ensuring grassroots voices are heard alongside policymakers. Don’t miss! ✨ Panellists: Dr.David Wanyonyi Nanyende – Technical Officer, NDOC Kenya Dr George Otieno – Thematic Lead Anticipatory Action, ICPAC Dr. Nikolas Scherer – Lead Policy and Advocacy, Anticipation Hub Esraa Elgadi - DARAJA Project Officer, Resurgence ✨ YouTube LIVESTREAM: 📺 https://lnkd.in/dbifcUt3