Block by Block’s Post

Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, faces a critical challenge: rapid population growth but sluggish urbanization—a sign of untapped potential and unmet needs. Housing is more than just shelter—it’s a transformative force. This Jamhuri Day, I celebrate Kenya’s progress through the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), delivering affordable homes, creating jobs, and sparking urban transformation. 💡 The path forward is clear: 🌆 Reimagine urban planning. 💸 Scale housing investments. 🌱 Integrate sustainable policies. ❌ Without action, we risk overcrowded cities, rising inequalities, and lost opportunities. ✅ But with bold steps, housing can and is becoming the foundation of inclusivity, resilience, and national pride. Let’s make housing 🏠 the bridge to Kenya’s shared prosperity! #JamhuriDay #AffordableHousing #Urbanization #Kenya #FutureCities #BuildingKenya

🌿 Kenya’s youth are turning environmental preservation into a pathway for personal growth, social empowerment, and community resilience. 💪 In Buruburu, Nairobi, the Alexin Self Help Group and Shasha Mountain Self Help Group exemplify this spirit. In response to high youth unemployment, these self-organised groups are transforming local environmental challenges into opportunities for development and community building. 🌿 How self-organised youth groups drive change: 🌿 Skill development: Initiatives like tree planting, urban farming, and waste management equip young people with practical skills that boost employability. 🌿Community support: Collaborative projects create strong social bonds, reducing isolation and fostering teamwork. 🌿 Mental well-being: Working closely with nature improves mental health, providing a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. These initiatives reflect Growth4Change's vision to grow stronger and more resilient urban communities. 🌿 #UrbanAcupuncture #IamGrowing #GhettoEngineering #Powertodoit #UrbanTransformation

Nairobi City is referred to as the #CityUnderTheSun for it's richness in #GreenSpaces . We extend our invitation for #Partnership #SDG17 for #TerrestrialEcosystemRestoration for Green Cities . The Forest plays a critical role in #ClimateChangeMitigation as it's on the higher side of Nairobi reducing the impacts of #floods in the lower Nairobi Mathare and Embakasi sides .

Nairobi is a city where nature thrives alongside urban development, with trees and green spaces enhancing the environment by improving air quality, offering shade, and creating spaces for community engagement. As residents, what #role do you think we can play in #preserving these #greenspaces while the city grows? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #kang4nature🌍 #upskillingandupscaling #UpskillingProgram #ConservationLeaders #kangenvironmentslists

Found this online will leave it here, wishing you a great night and week ahead. Mwenda Thuranira has made several notable contributions and accomplishments in the real estate sector and beyond. Some key highlights of his work include: 1. **Real Estate Development**: Thuranira has been involved in various real estate projects, focusing on both commercial and residential developments. His efforts often emphasize creating affordable housing solutions to address the growing demand in urban areas. 2. **Sustainable Practices**: He is known for promoting sustainable building practices within the real estate industry, which includes environmentally friendly construction methods and materials. 3. **Community Engagement**: Thuranira often engages with local communities to understand their needs and tailor developments that enhance the quality of life for residents. 4. **Investment Initiatives**: He may have taken part in initiatives aimed at attracting investments into the Kenyan real estate market, contributing to economic growth and job creation. 5. **Advocacy**: Thuranira is likely involved in advocacy efforts related to housing policies and urban development, aiming to influence positive changes in the regulatory environment for real estate. These accomplishments reflect his commitment to improving housing and living conditions in Kenya. See you tomorrow Myspace Properties

Will we ever find a balanced approach to Urban vs. Rural Development? Yes, I believe so. You might have noticed that in Kenya, urban and rural areas often face different development challenges. It might be the same with most other developing countries. While urban centers struggle with overpopulation, housing, and pollution, rural areas are battling lack of infrastructure, affordable yet quality education, and affordable healthcare. Both require unique solutions, but one thing is clear: development efforts should be balanced to ensure that no community is left behind. Come to think of it: we must foster growth in both areas by investing in sustainable agriculture for rural communities and smart city planning for urban centers. A holistic approach ensures that urban and rural areas thrive together. What development challenges do you see in your area? There are many policy makers here, who are actually seeking solutions to moat of our problems as a country. We can inform each other by brainstorming solutions for both urban and rural spaces. #RuralDevelopment #UrbanGrowth #SustainableCities #BalancedDevelopment

Helvetas' Local Governance Project Plus in the Amhara region of Ethiopia aims to empower rural communities by fostering their active involvement in decision-making processes concerning #water, #education, #healthcare, and #infrastructure. By elevating the voices of local stakeholders, especially women and marginalized groups, the project enables community needs to shape policy and planning. Improved local governance is allowing villages to prioritize their concerns, enhance #resilience, and promote inclusive #ruraldevelopment. 👉https://ow.ly/IWks50TZa8f

#SpotlightWednesday Wishing All Nigerians, Happy Democracy Day. On reflection, I hope that every child in impoverished communities will be remembered by state officials and given a good start for a brighter future. Today's sport light is on Makoko. Makoko is a fascinating and unique community in Lagos, Nigeria. Here's an overview of the region: Location Makoko is situated on the Lagos Lagoon, near the Third Mainland Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland. It is one of Lagos's many informal settlements. History/Origins Makoko was founded in the 19th century as a fishing village. It has grown significantly over the years, largely due to urban migration. Development Despite its age, Makoko is still largely undeveloped, with much of the community lacking basic infrastructure and services. Architecture and Living Environments Stilt Houses Makoko is well-known for its stilt houses built over the lagoon. These houses are made of wood and other locally sourced materials, and they are elevated above the water to prevent flooding. Population: Estimates range from 80,000 to over 300,000. Many residents make their living through fishing and other water-based activities. Challenges Makoko lacks basic infrastructure such as clean water, electricity, sanitation, and healthcare. Legal Status: The government has threatened the community with eviction on numerous occasions, claiming that the settlement is illegal. These evictions have frequently resulted in conflict between residents and authorities. Pollution and flooding are major issues, exacerbated by inadequate waste management and drainage systems. Culture and community Resilience: Despite the difficulties, Makoko residents have developed a strong sense of community and resilience. They have developed informal systems to meet their needs, such as local schools and markets. Makoko is culturally rich, with traditions based on its fishing heritage. It is a thriving community with its own traditions and social structures. Recent Developments Attention and Advocacy: In recent years, Makoko has received international attention, prompting a number of advocacy and support initiatives to improve living conditions. Projects; Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and architects have proposed and launched projects to improve housing and infrastructure, such as the Makoko Floating School, an innovative architectural project intended to serve as a prototype for future development. Tourism Attraction: Makoko has also piqued the interest of tourists and researchers who are curious about its distinct lifestyle and resilience to urban challenges. Makoko combines traditional lifestyles with modern urban struggles, highlighting the complexities of Africa's rapid urbanization. Makoko's residents continue to adapt and innovate, making it a vital and dynamic part of Lagos. Many thanks to ChatGPT.

Community WASH project completed in Guinea

🚰💦 Sustainable Solutions for Urban Water Justice! Many African cities face significant challenges in providing access to affordable and clean water, stemming from issues such as increased urban population and inadequate municipal infrastructure. 📝 With the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Community Water Alliance and other civil society partners developed a draft Model Water By-Law to tackle these issues in the City of #Harare, Zimbabwe. This new by-law aims to ensure that urban dwellers have greater access to clean and affordable water, encouraging planners and policy-makers to take a different approach to #urbandevelopment grounded in equity and the principles of a Just City. The draft was presented to the Mayor of Harare and city councillors and will be tabled before the responsible council committee and full council meeting. 🤝 Since 2020, FES has brought together an independent, multidisciplinary coalition of urban practitioners under the umbrella of ‘Just City' – that comes forward with progressive proposals for the #gender and socially just provision of public goods and services so that #urbanisation can be shaped in a more far-sighted, people-centred and #inclusive direction. For more information about Just City, download the publication "Just City in Africa - The Transformative Value of Urbanisation" here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dGfxRCG8 📷 Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) #UrbanWaterJustice #WaterForAll #JustCity #Zimbabwe #CivilSociety Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Thilo Schöne