xploring how subaltern actions and do-it-yourself strategies are evolving and creating order in new urbanizing areas of developing countries: Reflection on Urbanisation in Nairobi’s peri-urban areas, Kenya

Abstract

The process of urbanization is one of the most important dimensions of economic, social and physical changes. It is almost a truism that the planet’s future is an urban one and that the largest and fastest growing cities are in developing countries, Kenya is not an exception. Rapid urban population growth means an increasing demand for urban. This land is not available within the city, but in peri-urban areas, for various reasons. Urban growth is already engulfing the surrounding agricultural lands and small villages. The conversion of agricultural land to residential uses is leading to the rapid transformations in the agricultural production, spatial structure, social structure, land ownership and land market in these areas. This paper focuses on the responses/actions of the communities within Nairobi’s peri-urban areas and how they manoeuvre through the consequences of changes occasioned by land conversions. It used Town council of Karuri (TCK) as a case study. The paper based on qualitative research approaches presents evidence on how subaltern’ actions and do-it-yourself (DIY) strategies play an important role in creating order in an otherwise chaotic situation as a result of ‘poorly planned’ residential development. The subalterns’ actions do-it-yourself (DIY) strategies, as evidenced by their agency, are manifested in community’s contribution and participation in provision of infrastructure and services within the Nairobi’s peri-urban areas due to inability of formal provision by planning authorities.