This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
Developers Turning to Green Infrastructure to Woo Buyers ¶
As the demand for housing in Nairobi continues to grow, developers are increasingly turning to green infrastructure to woo buyers.
Green infrastructure, which includes parks, arboretums, green roofs, and other natural spaces, is becoming a key selling point for developers looking to differentiate their projects from the high-density properties that have dominated the market in recent years.
According to experts, green spaces have numerous benefits for residents, including improved air quality, reduced stress levels, and increased physical activity. A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health in 2006 found that people who live close to green spaces have lower rates of depression and anxiety and better physical health than those who live in more urban settings.
Another study conducted by Harvard University in 2016 found that residents who had any kind of green space within 200 meters of their homes had a 12 per cent lower rate of mortality than those living in areas without greenery. This is because natural environments decrease the rate of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, and digestive diseases, mental illness, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Mr. John Kabuye, an architect and vice chairperson of the Kenya Green Building Society, notes that green spaces also play a critical role in cooling cities. Strategically planted trees have the capacity to cool the air by two to eight degrees Celsius, thus reducing the urban 'heat island' effect and helping urban communities adapt to the effects of climate change.
However, green open spaces are a luxury that many residents of Nairobi cannot afford, especially those who live in the Eastlands estates. Environmentalists attribute this to developers' sheer greed and poor urban planning.
Despite this, some developers are now incorporating green spaces into their projects. For example, Enaki Residential Resort Town, a new development by Hass Consult, features a 22-acre botanical garden with a walking trail, cycle path, and expansive man-made lake. The garden will come with a price tag of at least Sh11 million for a one-bedroom house.
Another developer, Tilisi Developments Plc, has broken ground for the construction of Tilisi Mega City's first housing project, which will offer home-owners spacious green gardens on half of each plot, tree-lined streets, and extra play areas in every hub of 15 to 30 villas.
As the demand for housing in Nairobi continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether developers will continue to prioritize green infrastructure in their projects.
