Urban Informality and Its Impacts on Sustainable Urbanism: A Review Using Selected Indicators in Kayole Informal Settlement in Nairobi

Abstract

Sustainable urbanism is a fundamental element of sustainable development as envisaged under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA). Among the key bottlenecks to sustainability are urban poverty and informality. These breed developmental ills, including crime, conflicts, pollution, overcrowding, disease and illicit trade practices. Still, studies and policies acknowledge the urban informals (housing, commerce and industry) for safeguarding poor citizens’ right to the city, protecting livelihoods and reducing survivalist crimes, especially, in cities of the global South. This paper uses illustrations from Kayole Informal Settlement in Nairobi to examine the impacts of informal urban solid waste management and trade practices, and suggest synergies for overcoming them. Guided by sustainable development and sustainable urbanism theories, the descriptive study explores and mitigates select infrastructural, economic, health, environmental and governance indicators affected by informality, and which impact the realization of globally agreed development pathways. Its data was collected through questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), observation, literature review and mapwork (ArcMap and Google Earth). The resulting findings show minimal progress towards sustainability and pinpoint intervention areas Nairobi should work on to lift residents from extreme poverty as opposed to making the city functional and liveable for the poor.