Abstract:
Rapid urbanization in Nairobi City, Kenya, has intensified the demand for affordable housing, with the
city facing an annual deficit exceeding 250,000 units despite government interventions such as the Big
Four Agenda. More than 60% of residents continue to inhabit inadequate housing conditions, reflecting
the limited incorporation of cultural values, collaborative practices, and emerging technologies in housing
development. This study explored how cultural identity, co-creation, and smart technologies contribute to
sustainable and affordable housing solutions within the city. Anchored in Systems Theory, the research
adopted a descriptive design and engaged 3,050 stakeholders in housing projects through stratified
random sampling. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive
and inferential methods, with a simple linear regression model applied to test the study variables. Results
demonstrated that cultural identity, co-creation, and smart technologies significantly enhanced sustainable
housing outcomes (β = 0.376, p < 0.05), collectively accounting for 75.3% of the observed variance (R²
= 0.753). These findings affirm the critical role of blending cultural relevance with innovation and
technology in addressing the housing crisis. The study concludes that effective solutions require
embedding cultural perspectives into design, institutionalizing co-creation among stakeholders, and
promoting the adoption of smart technologies. By implementing these measures, policymakers and
developers can narrow the housing deficit while advancing sustainability and improving the quality of
urban life in Nairobi.
