DIALOGUES ON ARCHITECTURE, URBANISM AND MUCH MORE
Nairobi has some great things going for it: It is the only city in the world with a national park within its bounds (dissecting standard gauge railway line notwithstanding), it has great weather for a good part of the year, its people are friendly for the most part, and it still has a considerable amount …
In my adult life, I have cycled on a public roadway a total number of (1) times. I will explain why later. I am hardly an expert when it comes to the design of the perfect bicycle, or helmet, or wheels. I know a little bit about what makes for a good bike seat, but …
An architect/friend happens to be in New York on business, and sent me pictures from an exhibition he attended on one of his days there. The exhibition, 5×5 Participatory Provocations, got me thinking about our need for more polemic architecture in Kenya. That controversial projects exist is in no question. Beside the new malls and …
I love people-watching. In a former life (read, my early teens), I imagined that I would one day write the great Kenyan novel. I suppose it is only fitting, then, that I find it interesting to study human character. A female friend and I have a monthly get-together which almost always takes place in a …
I am blessed enough to have a few people in my life that I consider good mentors. Funny thing, though: they are not actually aware that I consider them mentors. In his New York Times Op-Ed piece, The Myth of Quality Time, Frank Bruni talks about the importance of the unscripted moments we may choose …
Nairobi, the city of my nativity, has sidewalks to write home about. Veritable volumes can be published on the deplorable conditions our pedestrians tolerate on a daily basis. Pedestrians are a majority here; sadly, however, they end up with the short end of the stick where commuting is concerned. Unless of course they are in …
Karen Blixen, popularly known by her nom de plume, Isak Dinesen, had this to say about the Somali town that existed in Nairobi in her day: Europeans, who live for a long time, even for several generations, in the same place, cannot reconcile themselves to the complete indifference to the surroundings of their homes, of …
Henry Musangi is a busy man. Even on weekends. That this Western-educated Kenyan architect was able to find time to have a conversation of this sort was somewhat of a miracle. Well, that and the fact that the beginning of the year tends to be a less busy time for most businesses, affording me an …
I am, thanks to the fact that I have no vehicle of my own at the moment, relearning the art of pedestrianism, 21st century style. Because my daily commute involves quite a bit of walking, sidewalks have become of interest to me. Sidewalks that work. Sidewalks that allow for heels and running shoes alike. Sidewalks …
I came across this really interesting TED talk – I am surprised that I did not come across it sooner. The possibilities in Africa with something like this are endless! Here’s to “cities being developed by citizens.”