The planning system plays an important role in modern society. It is meant to protect amenity and the environment in the public interest. How we live our lives is shaped by where we live. Our planning regulations therefore have to cover many different situations that influence the shape of lives of every city resident and help protect the urban environment.
This pamphlet gives a simplified guide to those aspects of the development ordinances that every property developer in this City requires in setting up any form of development – be it residential, commercial, industrial, institutional or religious. With the continued high rate of urbanization, the City Council of Nairobi has a duty to use planning controls to ensure that development is allowed only where it is needed, while ensuring that the character and amenity of the area are not adversely affected.
For a concerted approach to achieve these planning objectives, this pamphlet gives prospective developers general planning guidelines that would hasten awareness on development control, ease the procedures for making development applications and hence curtail inappropriate illegal developments. It is, therefore, my humble submission that for effective planning interpretation and compliance, both our civic leaders and professionals – who have the power and knowledge – have to sustain this challenge by helping and involving the city residents in making this city a more pleasant place to live in.
Patrick Tom Odongo
Director of City Planning