INNOVATIVE SLUM UPGRADING TECHNOLOGIES:

Informal settlements are a reality in many of the large developing cities around the world, and they present many governments, including Kenya, with a challenge of meeting their development goals. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are international development goals adopted by governments to ensure, among other things, poverty eradication and environmental sustainability globally. Kenya Vision 2030 is the localized development blueprint for Kenya, which aims to meet MDGs for Kenyans Slums pose several risks and hazards to their residents and their environment due to lack of planning for services and access. They are a health risk to the due to their insanitary conditions, they are a fire hazard due to poor construction materials, they pose security risks due to their location in precarious areas such as transport and riparian way leaves, Kambi Moto , Huruma, is an outstanding case study of a slum that has been upgraded through the residents own community participation efforts into high quality houses. Through a Post Occupation Evaluation (POE) research undertaken of slum upgrading projects: a comparative study between self-help initiatives and government sponsored initiatives, the results indicate that majority of the residents of the upgraded slum in Huruma, and through self-help initiatives were very satisfied with the final upgraded houses. An innovative technology has been used in the upgrading process comprising of precast concrete elements including beams, lintels, laadies (waffle slabs) that are made by the residents at a workshop in the site. The technology was acquired from India where some members of the community were trained and through technology transfer have passed the technology to other members. This has reduced the cost of the buildings that also use cut masonry stones by over 50%. This technology has also greatly improved the quality of life of the residents, and their efforts have been recognized by the neighbouring slums within Huruma, where they are replicating the upgrading process. The participatory method has resulted in sustainable development as the residents own the process and are responsible for their maintenance.