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Electronic Appendix

A local urban observatory for Nakuru

Albrecht Ehrensperger, NCCR North-South, CDE, University of Bern,
Albrecht.Ehrensperger@cde.unibe.ch

The Nakuru Local Urban Observatory (LUO) Project in Kenya was initiated to improve information on urban development, in view of enhancing the planning capacity of local authorities and the participation of civil society in urban development processes. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive digital spatial database was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite images. This information was packaged in custom made software and made accessible to all stakeholders in Nakuru. Since, community based organisations, NGOs and local authorities use this database to reach informed decisions and to assert their needs and back up their arguments.

The aim of the LUO project is to enhance community participation in urban planning processes and to improve decision-making by the local public institutions through the availing of relevant information on urban infrastructure and development concerns. Since 2003 the project team consistently works towards building up and maintaining a comprehensive spatial database. The project intensively uses GIS, remote sensing and the Global Positioning System (GPS) as its main technical tools for data capture and processing. The project team designed an application called NakInfo as the main interface and information access portal for users. A combination of shareware components was used to guarantee royalty-free access. This software, which features menus and controls in English and Kiswahili, is available in a public library, Cyber Cafés, a municipal information centre, public institution and NGO offices. It allows the users to view and query information and development indicators, but also to propose modifications to the existing database and is therefore an interactive and participatory IT tool. A participatory philosophy also characterizes most other project steps: Information needs were identified by the community, which also helped generating the primary database during a participatory mapping exercise; all data layers are scrutinized by local stakeholders; and NakInfo training courses are offered to both municipal officers and community representatives.

Research Project
The LUO Project started in 2003 based on a request from the Municipal Council of Nakuru and with financial support from the NCCR North-South Programme. It continued in 2004 with support from the ESAPP Programme. During these two years, in collaboration with Practical Action, the foundations have been laid for a functioning local urban observatory. Since 2005, the project is run by the Municipal Council of Nakuru, with continued backstopping from ESAPP.

At the same time, the LUO project was implemented as one of three case studies in a PhD research, which addresses the role - in terms of potentials, limitations and risks - of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related information and communication technologies in the context of sustainable development (Ehrensperger 2006). As such it is a methodological and conceptual contribution to the Swiss NCCR “North-South” programme within the frame of which it was elaborated.

Sweeping statements often characterise the debate on GIS for sustainable development. In contrast this thesis proposes a differentiated analysis according to implementation context and logical stages of knowledge creation, diffusion and utilisation processes. It seeks to provide tangible recommendations for initiatives relying on information and communication technology within participatory approaches to sustainable development.

Participatory mapping of urban infrastructure and development indicators

Results

At case-study level: Before the start of the project, it was virtually impossible for the common citizen in Nakuru to access precise information on urban development and planning processes. Now, people have a tool at hand with which they are able to better understand the urban environment and with which they can assert their needs and back up their arguments pertaining to development priorities vis-à-vis the public institutions. The latter in turn have a tool at hand with which they can improve information-based decision making and communicate with other administrative levels in a more transparent manner. The demand for access to the LUO database has increased constantly. The project team inaugurated an information centre at the town hall, where the public can freely access computers and print out maps.

At research project level: The Nakuru case study has shown that, in the urban context in Kenya, technology is no longer the main challenge for bridging information gaps and enhancing participation of communities in development processes. It has shown that the perceived value of information, rather than the medium with which it is disseminated, is one of the factors that significantly influences a project’s durability, its ability to use participatory approaches and its ability to empower marginalised stakeholders. Another major challenge is the processes of institutionalization of project workflows and the development of an information-based decision-making culture within local public structures. The project has also shown that participatory identification of information contents is crucial for the subsequent use of this information by potential beneficiaries.

Dissemination and Use
Generally, the LUO project process is considered to be an important landmark in participatory urban development and the integration of GIS into participatory processes. The experiences made in Nakuru have raised strong interest in other towns in Kenya and beyond, as well as within international institutions like UN Habitat. In 2005 the project was presented with the ACM Eugene Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science and Informatics. The project is still ongoing and collaboration of the local technical team with municipal department, NGOs and other institutions is an encouraging sign that the value of information for sustainable urban development is recognised and increasingly used in decision-making and planning processes.

Nakuru Information Centre in the compound of the Municipal Town Hall. Interested visitors can access the LUO database on computers and print out maps

Key messages

The LUO Project is a successful attempt at bringing information on urban development and planning onto the discussion table of community based organisations and local public institutions.
GIS and other information and communication technologies have strong potentials for supporting participatory development processes in urban settings in development countries
Participatory definition of information contents and careful planning of the institutionalisation of workflows are crucial requirements for the sustainability of any information-based project.

Partner Institution

Solomon Mbuguah
Municipal Council of Nakuru, Kenya
s_mbuguah@yahoo.com

The Municipal Council of Nakuru is the local authority in charge of governance in Nakuru, on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government of Kenya. The executive arm of the Municipal Council is lead by the Town Clerk and is divided into a number of departments in charge of the following portfolios: education, social services, environment, health, engineering, treasury, and town clerks department. The Local Urban Observatory Project was attached to the Environment Department in the frame of the ongoing Localising Agenda 21 initiative conducted in collaboration with UN-Habitat.

Dr Albrecht Ehrensperger
Centre for Development and Environment
Institute of Geography, University of Bern
Albrecht.ehrensperger@cde.unibe.ch

CDE is a department of the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern, Switzerland. CDE’s mission is to contribute to sustainable development in countries of the North, South, and East, through research partnerships, education and training, development of concepts and tools, raising awareness and policy advice.

http://www.mcn.go.ke/
http://www.north-south.unibe.ch/
http://www.cde.unibe.ch/Regions/Esapp_Rs.asp
http://www.practicalaction.org/
Ehrensperger, A. 2006: “Potentials, limitations and risks of geo-information technology for sustainable development approaches in Kenya”. PhD Thesis, Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland
www.acm.org


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		Electronic Appendix A local urban observatory for Nakuru Albrecht Ehrensperger, NCCR North-South, CDE, University of Bern, Albrecht.Ehrensperger@cde.unibe.ch The Nakuru Local Urban Observatory (LUO) Project in Kenya was initiated to improve information on urban development, in view of enhancing the planning capacity of local authorities and the participation of civil society in urban development processes. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive digital spatial database was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite images. This information was packaged in custom made software and made accessible to all stakeholders in Nakuru. Since, community based organisations, NGOs and local authorities use this database to reach informed decisions and to assert their needs and back up their arguments. The aim of the LUO project is to enhance community participation in urban planning processes and to improve decision-making by the local public institutions through the availing of relevant information on urban infrastructure and development concerns. Since 2003 the project team consistently works towards building up and maintaining a comprehensive spatial database. The project intensively uses GIS, remote sensing and the Global Positioning System (GPS) as its main technical tools for data capture and processing. The project team designed an application called NakInfo as the main interface and information access portal for users. A combination of shareware components was used to guarantee royalty-free access. This software, which features menus and controls in English and Kiswahili, is available in a public library, Cyber Cafés, a municipal information centre, public institution and NGO offices. It allows the users to view and query information and development indicators, but also to propose modifications to the existing database and is therefore an interactive and participatory IT tool. A participatory philosophy also characterizes most other project steps: Information needs were identified by the community, which also helped generating the primary database during a participatory mapping exercise; all data layers are scrutinized by local stakeholders; and NakInfo training courses are offered to both municipal officers and community representatives. Research Project The LUO Project started in 2003 based on a request from the Municipal Council of Nakuru and with financial support from the NCCR North-South Programme. It continued in 2004 with support from the ESAPP Programme. During these two years, in collaboration with Practical Action, the foundations have been laid for a functioning local urban observatory. Since 2005, the project is run by the Municipal Council of Nakuru, with continued backstopping from ESAPP. At the same time, the LUO project was implemented as one of three case studies in a PhD research, which addresses the role - in terms of potentials, limitations and risks - of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related information and communication technologies in the context of sustainable development (Ehrensperger 2006). As such it is a methodological and conceptual contribution to the Swiss NCCR “North-South” programme within the frame of which it was elaborated. Sweeping statements often characterise the debate on GIS for sustainable development. In contrast this thesis proposes a differentiated analysis according to implementation context and logical stages of knowledge creation, diffusion and utilisation processes. It seeks to provide tangible recommendations for initiatives relying on information and communication technology within participatory approaches to sustainable development. Participatory mapping of urban infrastructure and development indicators Results At case-study level: Before the start of the project, it was virtually impossible for the common citizen in Nakuru to access precise information on urban development and planning processes. Now, people have a tool at hand with which they are able to better understand the urban environment and with which they can assert their needs and back up their arguments pertaining to development priorities vis-à-vis the public institutions. The latter in turn have a tool at hand with which they can improve information-based decision making and communicate with other administrative levels in a more transparent manner. The demand for access to the LUO database has increased constantly. The project team inaugurated an information centre at the town hall, where the public can freely access computers and print out maps. At research project level: The Nakuru case study has shown that, in the urban context in Kenya, technology is no longer the main challenge for bridging information gaps and enhancing participation of communities in development processes. It has shown that the perceived value of information, rather than the medium with which it is disseminated, is one of the factors that significantly influences a project’s durability, its ability to use participatory approaches and its ability to empower marginalised stakeholders. Another major challenge is the processes of institutionalization of project workflows and the development of an information-based decision-making culture within local public structures. The project has also shown that participatory identification of information contents is crucial for the subsequent use of this information by potential beneficiaries. Dissemination and Use Generally, the LUO project process is considered to be an important landmark in participatory urban development and the integration of GIS into participatory processes. The experiences made in Nakuru have raised strong interest in other towns in Kenya and beyond, as well as within international institutions like UN Habitat. In 2005 the project was presented with the ACM Eugene Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science and Informatics. The project is still ongoing and collaboration of the local technical team with municipal department, NGOs and other institutions is an encouraging sign that the value of information for sustainable urban development is recognised and increasingly used in decision-making and planning processes. Nakuru Information Centre in the compound of the Municipal Town Hall. Interested visitors can access the LUO database on computers and print out maps Key messages The LUO Project is a successful attempt at bringing information on urban development and planning onto the discussion table of community based organisations and local public institutions. GIS and other information and communication technologies have strong potentials for supporting participatory development processes in urban settings in development countries Participatory definition of information contents and careful planning of the institutionalisation of workflows are crucial requirements for the sustainability of any information-based project. Partner Institution Solomon Mbuguah Municipal Council of Nakuru, Kenya s_mbuguah@yahoo.com The Municipal Council of Nakuru is the local authority in charge of governance in Nakuru, on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government of Kenya. The executive arm of the Municipal Council is lead by the Town Clerk and is divided into a number of departments in charge of the following portfolios: education, social services, environment, health, engineering, treasury, and town clerks department. The Local Urban Observatory Project was attached to the Environment Department in the frame of the ongoing Localising Agenda 21 initiative conducted in collaboration with UN-Habitat. Dr Albrecht Ehrensperger Centre for Development and Environment Institute of Geography, University of Bern Albrecht.ehrensperger@cde.unibe.ch CDE is a department of the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern, Switzerland. CDE’s mission is to contribute to sustainable development in countries of the North, South, and East, through research partnerships, education and training, development of concepts and tools, raising awareness and policy advice. http://www.mcn.go.ke/ http://www.north-south.unibe.ch/ http://www.cde.unibe.ch/Regions/Esapp_Rs.asp http://www.practicalaction.org/ Ehrensperger, A. 2006: “Potentials, limitations and risks of geo-information technology for sustainable development approaches in Kenya”. PhD Thesis, Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland www.acm.org