Konza Technology City - Devils Advocate
Hi, I have looked at the concept for the Konza Technology City and it looks brilliant, but I have a few issues to propose on the design. Now that we have a big picture we need to go into the devilish details to make sure that we can make this a truly world class project from ground breaking to operation. 1. There is too much road which will result in traffic, one regret that the developers of Silicon Valley have kept airing is that they should have thought more of reducing motorised movement and creating more green areas, foot paths and cycling paths. The concept for Konza has over 61 kilometers of major roads that is equivalent to the road from Nairobi to Konza. We need to incorporate tramcars, under ground train & bus stations and perimeter parking silos that will allow for the reduction of vehicular traffic on the streets and make the environment more pedestrian friendly. For those who have seen the master plan each segment measures about 62 acres which is roughly the area bound by Uhuru Highway, City Hall Way, Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, not a very big area, so what is the difference in layout between Konza City and Nairobi? We need to look at the issues affecting Nairobi due to its design flaws and then correct them in Konza. 2. The density of the City makes it no different from Nairobi CBD merged with Githurai/Zimaman, the green area is at 5.6% which should be sufficient grounds for Prof. Wangari Mathai to get concerned. In my calculations I included the river basin that a crosses through the City and also the stadium. Let avoid the creation of another concrete jungle, which bring back to mind a statement by President Moi that the building of a 60 story building at Uhuru Park would be of scenic value. 4. Unlike Nairobi, Konza is a much hotter area therefore we need to look at having as many water masses as possible scattered around the city to humidify the area and also help in maintaining any green areas. This water could be reclaimed from the buildings and also by incorporating rain water harvesting. 5. Charity begins at home, I strongly believe the launch plus the initial invitations for the master builder should have been floated locally before we removed our hand pans to go overseas, "utamusindikisha namna gani yule ambae hajatoa chochote chake". 6. Where is the Virtual City Building, Seven Seas Knowledge Hub, Equity Finance Campus and Mutuku's Supermarket in the proposal or is the entire development targeted to foreign entities. 7. The area allocated for a University campus is only 62 acres, this is too small as it can only accommodate a single university campus if it is to have recreation facilities and open grounds which is the ideal situation as it would be counter productive to replicate what is happening with the campuses in Nairobi CBD. I reiterate that the effort is commendable but lets use it more as a starting point than an end in itself otherwise we shall just be developing another concrete jungle. Lets look at best practices and the lessons learnt from others as they carried our such projects. A final word or more a request, how do I book the space allocated for a Cathedral so I can begin to mobilise my Catholic brethren to begin raising funds. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
Robert, I thank you for your candid evaluation of the Konza Project. I shall compile the views and ask the Master Builder to incorporate them. Regards Ndemo. \
Hi,
I have looked at the concept for the Konza Technology City and it looks brilliant, but I have a few issues to propose on the design.
Now that we have a big picture we need to go into the devilish details to make sure that we can make this a truly world class project from ground breaking to operation.
1. There is too much road which will result in traffic, one regret that the developers of Silicon Valley have kept airing is that they should have thought more of reducing motorised movement and creating more green areas, foot paths and cycling paths. The concept for Konza has over 61 kilometers of major roads that is equivalent to the road from Nairobi to Konza.
We need to incorporate tramcars, under ground train & bus stations and perimeter parking silos that will allow for the reduction of vehicular traffic on the streets and make the environment more pedestrian friendly.
For those who have seen the master plan each segment measures about 62 acres which is roughly the area bound by Uhuru Highway, City Hall Way, Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, not a very big area, so what is the difference in layout between Konza City and Nairobi? We need to look at the issues affecting Nairobi due to its design flaws and then correct them in Konza.
2. The density of the City makes it no different from Nairobi CBD merged with Githurai/Zimaman, the green area is at 5.6% which should be sufficient grounds for Prof. Wangari Mathai to get concerned. In my calculations I included the river basin that a crosses through the City and also the stadium. Let avoid the creation of another concrete jungle, which bring back to mind a statement by President Moi that the building of a 60 story building at Uhuru Park would be of scenic value.
4. Unlike Nairobi, Konza is a much hotter area therefore we need to look at having as many water masses as possible scattered around the city to humidify the area and also help in maintaining any green areas. This water could be reclaimed from the buildings and also by incorporating rain water harvesting.
5. Charity begins at home, I strongly believe the launch plus the initial invitations for the master builder should have been floated locally before we removed our hand pans to go overseas, "utamusindikisha namna gani yule ambae hajatoa chochote chake".
6. Where is the Virtual City Building, Seven Seas Knowledge Hub, Equity Finance Campus and Mutuku's Supermarket in the proposal or is the entire development targeted to foreign entities.
7. The area allocated for a University campus is only 62 acres, this is too small as it can only accommodate a single university campus if it is to have recreation facilities and open grounds which is the ideal situation as it would be counter productive to replicate what is happening with the campuses in Nairobi CBD.
I reiterate that the effort is commendable but lets use it more as a starting point than an end in itself otherwise we shall just be developing another concrete jungle. Lets look at best practices and the lessons learnt from others as they carried our such projects.
A final word or more a request, how do I book the space allocated for a Cathedral so I can begin to mobilise my Catholic brethren to begin raising funds. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"
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Robert, You are spot on ! Sam Gichuru On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 1:51 AM, <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote:
Robert, I thank you for your candid evaluation of the Konza Project. I shall compile the views and ask the Master Builder to incorporate them.
Regards
Ndemo. \
Hi,
I have looked at the concept for the Konza Technology City and it looks brilliant, but I have a few issues to propose on the design.
Now that we have a big picture we need to go into the devilish details to make sure that we can make this a truly world class project from ground breaking to operation.
1. There is too much road which will result in traffic, one regret that the developers of Silicon Valley have kept airing is that they should have thought more of reducing motorised movement and creating more green areas, foot paths and cycling paths. The concept for Konza has over 61 kilometers of major roads that is equivalent to the road from Nairobi to Konza.
We need to incorporate tramcars, under ground train & bus stations and perimeter parking silos that will allow for the reduction of vehicular traffic on the streets and make the environment more pedestrian friendly.
For those who have seen the master plan each segment measures about 62 acres which is roughly the area bound by Uhuru Highway, City Hall Way, Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, not a very big area, so what is the difference in layout between Konza City and Nairobi? We need to look at the issues affecting Nairobi due to its design flaws and then correct them in Konza.
2. The density of the City makes it no different from Nairobi CBD merged with Githurai/Zimaman, the green area is at 5.6% which should be sufficient grounds for Prof. Wangari Mathai to get concerned. In my calculations I included the river basin that a crosses through the City and also the stadium. Let avoid the creation of another concrete jungle, which bring back to mind a statement by President Moi that the building of a 60 story building at Uhuru Park would be of scenic value.
4. Unlike Nairobi, Konza is a much hotter area therefore we need to look at having as many water masses as possible scattered around the city to humidify the area and also help in maintaining any green areas. This water could be reclaimed from the buildings and also by incorporating rain water harvesting.
5. Charity begins at home, I strongly believe the launch plus the initial invitations for the master builder should have been floated locally before we removed our hand pans to go overseas, "utamusindikisha namna gani yule ambae hajatoa chochote chake".
6. Where is the Virtual City Building, Seven Seas Knowledge Hub, Equity Finance Campus and Mutuku's Supermarket in the proposal or is the entire development targeted to foreign entities.
7. The area allocated for a University campus is only 62 acres, this is too small as it can only accommodate a single university campus if it is to have recreation facilities and open grounds which is the ideal situation as it would be counter productive to replicate what is happening with the campuses in Nairobi CBD.
I reiterate that the effort is commendable but lets use it more as a starting point than an end in itself otherwise we shall just be developing another concrete jungle. Lets look at best practices and the lessons learnt from others as they carried our such projects.
A final word or more a request, how do I book the space allocated for a Cathedral so I can begin to mobilise my Catholic brethren to begin raising funds. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
bandwidth,
share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Warm Regards, ------------------------ Samuel Gichuru twitter: | @samgichuru <http://twitter.com/samgichuru> Blog: | www.samgichuru.com Facebook: | Sam.gichuru <http://www.facebook.com/sam.gichuru> Skype: Sam.gichuru Cellphone: | 0722-730565
participants (3)
-
bitange＠jambo.co.ke -
robert yawe -
Samuel Gichuru