BY JACK MAKAU SHACK/SLUM DWELLERS INTERNATIONAL (SDI) KNOWING YOUR CITY The evolution of the urban discourse in Kenya and how grassroots data collection has influenced it. World Bank Land & Poverty Conference, 25 March 2014

The link There is a relationship between data collected about slums by residents of these slums and the formulation of urban policy in Kenya.

Time line of data events and policy milestones

The 90’s A spike in forceful evictions

1993 To 1997 Early Studies on slums Emergence of slum dwellers movement Forced Evictions and other influences The first urban discourse on slum inclusion

1998 to 2002 The first enumerations in Nairobi slums, Huruma and Korogocho, develop an an alternative approach to challenges facing slums. The first government departments and initiatives are formed to provide solutions to slums

2003 to 2004 Enumerations in Huruma slums used to plan a slum upgrading project A discussion happens between communities and the city based on the transfer of land tenure rights from the city to the community Instruments like “special planning areas for slum upgrading: are developed by the city. Central government makes the first budgetary allocation to slum upgrading.

2003 to 2004 Community models are built

2005 to 2009 Communities collect data across 9 of the major urban centers in Kenya Processes to develop land and housing policies are instituted with the participation of slum communities Communities collect data to feed into major infrastructure projects of the state Precedence on the involuntary resettlement of slum dwellers is set.

Community-led government projects

Community data collection moves from settlement level to zonal and city levels. National slum land and infrastructure program established (World Bank assisted).

Large Infrastructure projects servicing slums

2013 moving forward City wide slum profiling undertaken