THE Kenya government has announced plans for the construction of a $270 million megacity. Draft plans for the ‘Railway City’ that will see the expansion of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) have already been released, paving way for project implementation.
The railway city masterplan
Dubbed the Railway City Masterplan, the 425-acre project is expected to be completed in the next 20 years in three phases. Aside from the main station area, it will also contain a residential area and business hubs.
Railway infrastructure will gobble a huge chunk of the project at $169 million followed by water supply and construction of roads and pavements that will take $38 million and $19 million respectively. The draft plans describe it as a ‘multi-modal’ hub in the CBD that will guarantee ‘seamless connection’ among commuter rail, three Bus Rapid Transits, airport limousine city bus and non-motorised transport such as bicycles.
‘The Nairobi Railway City will include multi-modal transit stations, mixed-use or commercial buildings, international offices, small and medium enterprise cluster and high tech industry buildings,’ said Transport Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.
Other facilities will include residential buildings, community and government buildings, open space and plazas, and powerful non-motorized and pedestrian walkways. ‘Such a diverse urban programme will generate a 24-hour dynamic city,’ added the PS. The project expects to ease congestion on Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue and Landhies Road.
Kenyans will be expected to give their views on the project in the next sixty days before the plans are finalised.