MaxShimba
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 11, 2008
- 35,772
- 4,054
Kaputiei Town in Kisaju, Kajiado District
Kamba, Kikuyu, Luo and Maasai women working together in harmony for better homes and a better life. Jamii Bora members are demonstrating that the housing programme gives good income to the families during construction and that it helps build a stronger community without tribal boundaries.
To assist the majority of its members to achieve their dream of better and secure housing, Jamii Bora Trust has procured 293 acres of prime land in Kisaju, Kajiado District. The land was originally agricultural land but planning permission has been granted for development of a comprehensive housing scheme with all necessary social facilities as well as employment and commercial opportunities.
Following a period of design and planning that was finalised in 2003, the local authorities approved the detailed plans on 22 June 2004. The town will be built over a 36 months period and is planned on socially and ecologically sound and sustainable principles. Kaputei town will house approximately 2000 families and is planned according to a unique neighbourhood concept. Each neighbourhood comprises approximately 250 families with their own neighbourhood centre planned and maintained by families themselves. Thus each neighbourhood will have its own unique features with playgrounds for children, parks and community halls or church halls developed by and for the families in the neighbourhood.
Kaputei will be a green town rich with trees for beauty, wind protection and income earning from wood sales. Constructed wetlands will recycle wastewater and beautify the town at the same time. Recycled wastewater is particularly important in this semi-arid area. In addition, the total cleaning of wastewater will protect the environment of all down-stream communities. The town will include the following main features:
2000 homes of 50 square metres with two bedrooms, a sitting room and bathroom built in permanent materials that are produced in a factory on site. The factory provides employment to members and will enhance the families capacity to repay their housing loans. The house will cost KES 150,000 (US$ 1,875) and is designed for optimal use of the space. Members will be able to choose from 3 different house types. To facilitate for the members to make the ideal choice for
their family, Jamii Bora will construct the three model homes for on-site demonstration. Kaputei will be a model for low-income housing development in Kenya and has already generated a lot of interest and excitement among the members but also among the relevant authorities.
Town Centre with all commercial, cultural and social facilities such as: shops, administrative offices, health centre, Jamii Bora banking facilities and training centre, police post, post office, a primary school. Sport grounds, library and computer centre are examples of facilities to be shared between the school and the community at large. Semi-commercial plots allowing for mixed housing and commercial use are provided within the town centre. Members living in Kaputei town and the local residents of the Kisaju area will have priority access to commercial and semi-commercial plots within the town centre.
An Industrial zone is reserved for production of building materials and other production that is not suitable in the residential areas. Members that are residents in Kaputei town and the local residents of the Kisaju area will have priority access to plots in this Industrial zone.
Infrastructure will be of high quality. The main spine road and access roads to each neighbourhood centre will be developed together with the housing. Roads, water and sewer will be developed for all plots together with the housing. Jamii Bora has already drilled a borehole with very good yields of water adequate for more than 60% of the towns requirements. The second borehole will be drilled within the second year of construction.
One constructed wet-land near the seasonal river north of the site will be developed immediately for the housing on the northern part of the site. The second and smaller wetland will be developed on the southern end of the site. The northern wetland will form an integral part of the landscaped park, sport and recreation area of the town.
The wetland will be the first of this size in Kenya and two universities in Kenya will be involved in the development and monitoring of the wetlands. Thus Kaputei town will be instrumental in development of this ecologically sound technology and play an important role in demonstrating sustainable urban development in the country.
Financing and management
The total cost of the 2000 houses is KES 300,000,000 (US$ 3,750,000) and the infrastructure is KES 300,000,000 (US$ 3,750,000). Half of the cost of infrastructure will be charged to the residential area and half to the commercial and industrial area.
The members will receive loans from Jamii Bora with 8.5%-10% interest and 10-15 years repayment. Thus members will be able to live in a modern 3-room house at a cost of only KES 2,500 (US$ 32) per month. This is truly unique in Kenya.
The members in Kaputei town will be organised in neighbourhood management associations to develop and maintain their neighbourhood facilities and open spaces, parks and play grounds. The town will have a Town Management Board with representatives of all neighbourhood associations and reporting to Jamii Bora Trust.
Jamii Bora Trust will cover its cost for maintenance through monthly fees and charges of KES 500 (US$ 6) from the homeowners.
This program made my day. Imenifurahisha sana kuona kuwa, kuna watu wana moyo wa kujenga nchi zao.
Kamba, Kikuyu, Luo and Maasai women working together in harmony for better homes and a better life. Jamii Bora members are demonstrating that the housing programme gives good income to the families during construction and that it helps build a stronger community without tribal boundaries.
Following a period of design and planning that was finalised in 2003, the local authorities approved the detailed plans on 22 June 2004. The town will be built over a 36 months period and is planned on socially and ecologically sound and sustainable principles. Kaputei town will house approximately 2000 families and is planned according to a unique neighbourhood concept. Each neighbourhood comprises approximately 250 families with their own neighbourhood centre planned and maintained by families themselves. Thus each neighbourhood will have its own unique features with playgrounds for children, parks and community halls or church halls developed by and for the families in the neighbourhood.
Kaputei will be a green town rich with trees for beauty, wind protection and income earning from wood sales. Constructed wetlands will recycle wastewater and beautify the town at the same time. Recycled wastewater is particularly important in this semi-arid area. In addition, the total cleaning of wastewater will protect the environment of all down-stream communities. The town will include the following main features:
2000 homes of 50 square metres with two bedrooms, a sitting room and bathroom built in permanent materials that are produced in a factory on site. The factory provides employment to members and will enhance the families capacity to repay their housing loans. The house will cost KES 150,000 (US$ 1,875) and is designed for optimal use of the space. Members will be able to choose from 3 different house types. To facilitate for the members to make the ideal choice for
Town Centre with all commercial, cultural and social facilities such as: shops, administrative offices, health centre, Jamii Bora banking facilities and training centre, police post, post office, a primary school. Sport grounds, library and computer centre are examples of facilities to be shared between the school and the community at large. Semi-commercial plots allowing for mixed housing and commercial use are provided within the town centre. Members living in Kaputei town and the local residents of the Kisaju area will have priority access to commercial and semi-commercial plots within the town centre.
An Industrial zone is reserved for production of building materials and other production that is not suitable in the residential areas. Members that are residents in Kaputei town and the local residents of the Kisaju area will have priority access to plots in this Industrial zone.
Infrastructure will be of high quality. The main spine road and access roads to each neighbourhood centre will be developed together with the housing. Roads, water and sewer will be developed for all plots together with the housing. Jamii Bora has already drilled a borehole with very good yields of water adequate for more than 60% of the towns requirements. The second borehole will be drilled within the second year of construction.
One constructed wet-land near the seasonal river north of the site will be developed immediately for the housing on the northern part of the site. The second and smaller wetland will be developed on the southern end of the site. The northern wetland will form an integral part of the landscaped park, sport and recreation area of the town.
The wetland will be the first of this size in Kenya and two universities in Kenya will be involved in the development and monitoring of the wetlands. Thus Kaputei town will be instrumental in development of this ecologically sound technology and play an important role in demonstrating sustainable urban development in the country.
Financing and management
The total cost of the 2000 houses is KES 300,000,000 (US$ 3,750,000) and the infrastructure is KES 300,000,000 (US$ 3,750,000). Half of the cost of infrastructure will be charged to the residential area and half to the commercial and industrial area.
The members will receive loans from Jamii Bora with 8.5%-10% interest and 10-15 years repayment. Thus members will be able to live in a modern 3-room house at a cost of only KES 2,500 (US$ 32) per month. This is truly unique in Kenya.
The members in Kaputei town will be organised in neighbourhood management associations to develop and maintain their neighbourhood facilities and open spaces, parks and play grounds. The town will have a Town Management Board with representatives of all neighbourhood associations and reporting to Jamii Bora Trust.
Jamii Bora Trust will cover its cost for maintenance through monthly fees and charges of KES 500 (US$ 6) from the homeowners.
This program made my day. Imenifurahisha sana kuona kuwa, kuna watu wana moyo wa kujenga nchi zao.