Pathways to Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Nairobi City, Kenya: The Role of Cultural Identity, Co-Creation, and Smart Technologies

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.