RE-IMAGINING NAIROBI: FROM A TOURISM HUB TO A SUSTAINABLE CITY
Nairobi at a glance
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is East Africa’s business and commercial hub. For some, it is the gateway to the horn of Africa and the larger East and Central Africa. With a population of about five million people, the city serves as the commercial, administrative and communication center for the region. Renowned global firms such as Google and Microsoft have based their regional headquarters in Nairobi further showing confidence in the capital.
The city in the sun: a leading tourism destination in Africa
For starters, let us look at the background of Nairobi as a traditional global tourist destination, Nairobi has been featured among the top 10 cities severally by various travel agencies. What is the most unique aspect about the famed ‘city is the sun’ is the Nairobi National Park. This park makes Nairobi the only city in the world that has a national park, literally a few steps from an international airport. The park is home to thousands of wildlife including lions, buffaloes, gazelles, leopards, cheetahs and wildebeest among many others. Thus, travelers can easily disembark from an international flight and straight into game safari within 15 minutes. Better yet, travelers can enjoy lush scenery and fresh air at the nature trails at Arboretum Park and the Karura Forest.
Additional key traditional attractions in the city is the Nairobi Giraffe Manor Hotel. This is the most Instagram-worthy destination for travelers where they get to enjoy their meals in the company of giraffes. One can even get to feed the tallest animal in the world straight from their hands. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust also offers travelers a lifetime opportunity of interacting with rescued wild baby elephants. Here, visitors can also choose to adapt an elephant and support its sustenance before they are released back into the wild. The city also hosts several museums that serve as major attractions for travelers. One is the Nairobi National Museum. Here, visitors are likely to enjoy the historical journey of the country from its pre-colonial times to the post-independence Kenya. The Karen Blixen Museum located in the Karen neighborhood of the city also captures the settler relics and memories of Kenya.
Innovative and sustainability related attractions are drawing more attention like a tour of downtown Nairobi guided by reformed street boys through Nai Nami. Nai Nami is a social enterprise that offers Storytelling Tours in Nairobi Downtown guided by former street children as a means of creating social impact and providing employment to young Nairobians. Away from the bustle of the city, individuals can enjoy serenity in several botanical gardens around the city such as Langata Botanical Gardens and Maarifa Botanical Garden that are setting the pace in ecotourism. Visitors can also choose to visit local family-owned farms e.g. Mlango organic farm, and Karunguru coffee farm in Kiambu County in the outskirts of Nairobi.
Nairobi’s emergence as a sustainable city
Besides these traditional cultural and commercial attractions, Nairobi has a lot to offer in terms of sustainability and climate action and mitigation. Nairobi hosts the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and UN-Habitat headquarters, the only UN agencies headquartered in Africa. In 2018, Nairobi co-hosted the first ever Global Conference on the Sustainable Blue Economy that was graced by the US President, Barrack Obama. The city also hosted the inaugural Africa Climate Summit 2023 – the first time Africa has come together to form a joint position on climate action. While some may view this as the growth of conference tourism in Kenya, for climate action enthusiasts, it points to something bigger: the rebirth of Nairobi as a sustainability capital.
- Financial inclusion and innovation
Nairobi and Kenya at large has demonstrated to the world a new approach to financial inclusion through mobile innovation spearheaded by Mpesa and agency banking. As a result, the country grew its access to financial services from 26% in 2006 to over 84% in 2023. This mobile innovation is spreading to other services such as healthcare, insurance, education, and more. Such improvements on digital services are in line with several UN SDGs including SDG 9 (industry and innovation) SDG 1 (no poverty), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
- Upgrading settlements
The National government’s Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) as well as the Affordable Housing Program among many other plans are geared towards making Nairobi an inclusive, safe and sustainable city in line with SDG 11. The various programs have embarked on slum clean up exercises, restoration of public spaces, street rehabilitation and lighting, garbage collection as well fighting pollution. With Nairobi being home to one of the largest slums in Africa, Kibera, and 40% of the city’s residents living in informal settlements, the city has a lot do to in that front. Again, these challenges serve as a starting point for the city to demonstrate what sustainable development can achieve.
- Climate finance
In terms of climate finance, Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) listed the first green bond market in East and Central Africa. The green bond give investors a chance to direct capital to climate change solutions while issues are able to raise large amounts of cash at a much lower cost than other instruments. By NSE having a green bond market, it illustrates to the world that the region is ready to take a lading position centered on the African context to address the threat of climate change. In response of this new opportunity, Nairobi City County Government among five other counties have plans in place to float Green Bonds to facilitate their climate action and sustainability efforts.
- Emergence of green buildings
Nairobi city is setting the pace globally for green buildings. Ideally, green buildings differ from traditional architectural models in that they utilize fewer resources and have minimal negative impact on the environment. For example, they rely more on natural lighting and ventilation than conventional buildings. The Kenya Green Buildings Society network has played a major role in incubation and acceleration of green buildings in the country. From the network’s efforts, green building brands such as Built For Good and Eco Tiles and Blocks have emerged among many others.
As a testament to this new approach, the Strathmore Business School was awarded the Best Green Building Development in Africa by the African Real Estate and Housing Finance (AREHF) Academy Awards. Again, The UNEP HQs premises adopted this green approach. The building utilizes natural lighting and is powered by 6000 m2 of solar panels. In recognition of this milestone, former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, hailed the building as “a living model of our sustainable future.” Perhaps other cities and developers keen to explore the green building approach should be visiting Nairobi for benchmarking.
- The changing quality of life
On improvising the quality life and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, Nairobi has sought to improve sports, culture and talent management. This has involved the efforts of both government and the private sector. With Kenya as a globally recognize brand in athletics and rugby, Nairobi has sought to support local talents in various fields. There are various talent hubs such Rafiki Hub Talent Management and MDA Talent Hub. The Kenya National Theater, Goethe Institute and Sarakasi Trust among others have sought to nurture local film and theater talents with one of Hollywood’s best, Lupita Nyong’o, having gone through this pipeline.
Another major observation is the launching of the school feeding program in the city alongside the universal free primary education. This strategy was launched in recognition of the high poverty levels in most informal settlements. The school feeding programs not only ensure that kids have access to free meals but that they are encouraged to attend school to gain education. Other major milestones that the city has made is improving green and public spaces such as rehabilitation of public parks such as Jamhuri Gardens and Uhuru Park, sustainable management of waste, and the policy to have rainwater collection and storage facilities for all buildings.
Walking to the future
Nairobi has a lot to offer to other cities in terms of furthering the climate action and sustainability agenda. As an emerging, dynamic, African city, Nairobi can harness it’s existing strengths to re-imagine its future. Of course, it will take transformational leaders and Nairobians committed to what their capital city has the potential to become. Re-imaging Nairobi’s future by pursuing sustainability will not only improve the quality of life for millions of Nairobians but will go a long way in balancing people, environment and prosperity.
Nairobi at a glance
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is East Africa’s business and commercial hub. For some, it is the gateway to the horn of Africa and the larger East and Central Africa. With a population of about five million people, the city serves as the commercial, administrative and communication center for the region. Renowned global firms such as Google and Microsoft have based their regional headquarters in Nairobi further showing confidence in the capital.
The city in the Sun: a leading tourism destination in Africa
For starters, let us look at the background of Nairobi as a traditional global tourist destination, Nairobi has been featured among the top 10 cities severally by various travel agencies. What is the most unique aspect about the famed ‘city is the sun’ is the Nairobi National Park. This park makes Nairobi the only city in the world that has a national park, literally a few steps from an international airport. The park is home to thousands of wildlife including lions, buffaloes, gazelles, leopards, cheetahs and wildebeest among many others. Thus, travelers can easily disembark from an international flight and straight into game safari within 15 minutes. Better yet, travelers can enjoy lush scenery and fresh air at the nature trails at Arboretum Park and the Karura forest.
Additional key traditional attractions in the city is the Nairobi Giraffe Manor Hotel. This is the most Instagram-worthy destination for travelers where they get to enjoy their meals in the company of giraffes. One can even get to feed the tallest animal in the world straight from their hands. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust also offers travelers a lifetime opportunity of interacting with rescued wild baby elephants. Here, visitors can also choose to adapt an elephant and support its sustenance before they are released back into the wild. The city also hosts several museums that serve as major attractions for travelers. One is the Nairobi National Museum. Here, visitors are likely to enjoy the historical journey of the country from its pre-colonial times to the post-independence Kenya. The Karen Blixen Museum located in the Karen neighborhood of the city also captures the settler relics and memories of Kenya.
Innovative and sustainability related attractions are drawing more attention like a tour of downtown Nairobi guided by reformed street boys through Nai Nami. Nai Nami is a social enterprise that offers Storytelling Tours in Nairobi Downtown guided by former street children as a means of creating social impact and providing employment to young Nairobians. Away from the bustle of the city, individuals can enjoy serenity in several botanical gardens around the city such as Langata Botanical Gardens and Maarifa Botanical Garden that are setting the pace in ecotourism. Visitors can also choose to visit local family-owned farms e.g. Mlango organic farm, and Karunguru coffee farm in Kiambu County in the outskirts of Nairobi.
Nairobi’s emergence as a sustainable city
Besides these traditional cultural and commercial attractions, Nairobi has a lot to offer in terms of sustainability and climate action and mitigation. Nairobi hosts the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and UN-Habitat headquarters, the only UN agencies headquartered in Africa. In 2018, Nairobi co-hosted the first ever Global Conference on the Sustainable Blue Economy that was graced by the US President, Barrack Obama. The city also hosted the first Africa Climate Summit 2023 – the 1st time Africa has come together to form a joint position on climate action. While some may view this as the growth of conference tourism in Kenya, for climate action enthusiasts, it points to bigger things: the rebirth of Nairobi as a sustainability capital.
- Financial inclusion and innovation
Nairobi and Kenya at large has demonstrated to the world a new approach to financial inclusion through mobile innovation spearheaded by Mpesa and agency banking. As a result, the country grew its access to financial services from 26% in 2006 to over 84% in 2023. This mobile innovation is spreading to other services such healthcare, insurance, education, and more. Such improvements on digital services are in line with several UN SDGs including SDG 9 (industry and innovation) SDG 1 (no poverty), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
- Upgrading settlements
The National government’s Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) as well as the Affordable Housing Program among many other plans are geared towards making Nairobi an inclusive, safe and sustainable city in line with SDG 11. The various programs have embarked on slum clean up exercises, restoration of public spaces, street rehabilitation and lighting, garbage collection as well fighting pollution. With Nairobi being home to one of the largest slums in Africa, Kibera, and 40% of the city’s residents living in informal settlements, the city has a lot do to in that front. Again, these challenges serve as a starting point for the city to demonstrate what sustainable development can achieve.
- Climate finance
In terms of climate finance, Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) listed the first green bond market in East and Central Africa. The green bond give investors a chance to direct capital to climate change solutions while issues are able to raise large amounts of cash at a much lower cost than other instruments. By NSE having a green bond market, it illustrates to the world that the region is ready to take a lading position centered on the African context to address the threat of climate change. In response of this new opportunity, Nairobi City County Government among five other counties have plans in place to float Green Bonds to facilitate their climate action and sustainability efforts.
- Emergence of green buildings
Nairobi city is setting the pace globally for green buildings. Ideally, green buildings differ from traditional architectural models in that they utilize fewer resources and have minimal negative impact on the environment. For example, they rely more on natural lighting and ventilation than conventional buildings. The Kenya Green Buildings Society network has played a major role in incubation and acceleration of green buildings in the country. From the network’s efforts, green building brands such as Built For Good and Eco Tiles and Blocks have emerged among many others.
As a testament to this new approach, the Strathmore Business School was awarded the Best Green Building Development in Africa by the African Real Estate and Housing Finance (AREHF) Academy Awards. Again, The UNEP HQs premises adopted this green approach. The building utilizes natural lighting and is powered by 6000 m2 of solar panels. In recognition of this milestone, former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, hailed the building as “a living model of our sustainable future.” Perhaps other cities and developers keen to explore the green building approach should be visiting Nairobi for benchmarking.
- The changing quality of life
On improvising the quality life and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, Nairobi has sought to improve sports, culture and talent management. This has involved the efforts of both government and the private sector. With Kenya as a globally recognize brand in athletics and rugby, Nairobi has sought to support local talents in various fields. There are various talent hubs such Rafiki Hub Talent Management and MDA Talent Hub. The Kenya National Theater, Goethe Institute and Sarakasi Trust among others have sought to nurture local film and theater talents with one of Hollywood’s best, Lupita Nyong’o, having gone through this pipeline.
Another major observation is the launching of the school feeding program in the city alongside the universal free primary education. This strategy was launched in recognition of the high poverty levels in most informal settlements. The school feeding programs not only ensure that kids have access to free meals but that they are encouraged to attend school to gain education. Other major milestones that the city has made is improving green and public spaces such as rehabilitation of public parks such as Jamhuri Gardens and Uhuru Park, sustainable management of waste, and the policy to have rainwater collection and storage facilities for all buildings.
Walking to the future
Nairobi has a lot to offer to other cities in terms of furthering the climate action and sustainability agenda. As an emerging, dynamic, African city, Nairobi can harness it’s existing strengths to re-imagine its future. Of course, it will take transformational leaders and Nairobians committed to what their capital city has the potential to become. Re-imaging Nairobi’s future by pursuing sustainability will not only improve the quality of life for millions of Nairobians but will go a long way in balancing people, environment and prosperity.