Dennis Wakaba

Crime is increasingly becoming one of the greatest challenges to Kenya as a nation with many wondering what mitigation measures can be implemented. It has a serious impact on development both socially and economically. Most of these have been attributed to the fact that

Komarock ward has the extraordinary opportunity to create a great and enviable riverfront along the Komarock canal (Silanga River). This may need to be sooner rather than later because of the noticeably high number of new housing units within the ward that is rapidly being constructed to accommodate the surging rise of population. There is urgent need to ensure that this population is well-catered for in terms of place liveability, recreation, entertainment and retail areas. The critical decisions that are likely to be made concerning the canal and its development will define the riverfront’s future while tapping into its potentials for recreation and economic development opportunities. Open spaces, walkable neighbourhoods and parks are believed to generate social benefits to the residents, environmental benefits to the area and its residents as well as economic benefits to the local governments, home-owners, developers and businesses since they bring about higher property values and significantly higher tax valuations. The availability of open spaces, recreational facilities and parks along Komarock Canal enhance the vision for a Non-Motorised Transport channel, an arboretum and riverfront physical developments. This is anticipated to accrue immense social, economic and environmental benefits to the local residents of Komarock as well as being an attractive facility to other visitors living within and beyond the immediate neighbourhood precincts. The approach for this planning development project is to synthesize reviews on various case studies on riverfront developments as the basis of drawing from good practices. The project focuses on individual benefits that accrue to nearby property holders and home-owners along with other users of the Komarock canal community park. This park is anticipated to generate benefits such as flood control, improved neighbourhood beauty and aesthetics, improved water quality of the canal, enabling healthy lifestyles, play areas for children, formal play areas for talent development, reducing air pollution and alleviating traffic congestion. This is because the proposed canal’s promenade will attract pedestrian traffic and at the same time it is anticipated to reduce overreliance on motor vehicles for short commuting distances within the neighbourhood. In this planning development project the park has been subjected to the tenets of sustainable design models of waterfronts and public open spaces. The park has been designed to enhance maximum public access to the riverfront park, to provide a recreational promenade along the river for pedestrians and cyclists and to promote healthy environmental benefits that include trees, botanical gardens, flowers and a landscaped greenway.