Almost Urban: Crossed perspectives on urban sprawl and land use transitions
From January 19 to 26, 2025, the METROLAND team held a series of activities in Kenya to exchange knowledge and explore urbanization dynamics in fast-growing areas around Nairobi.
Overview
Land conversion for urban uses in distant peripheries represents a major societal and environmental turning point. At varying distances from already urbanized areas, we observe the subdivision of rural land into individual plots ready for construction. These plots are either developed through self-build initiatives or real estate promotion, or they remain undeveloped over extended periods.
The objective of this workshop was to foster discussion on this topic by sharing our methodological approaches and access to sources in contrasting political contexts in the peripheries of Bamako, Dakar and Nairobi.
Workshop Programme
January 20, 2025, Kenyatta University
8:45am
Coffee & Tea Reception
9:00am
Welcome Remarks and Workshop Introduction
Peter Kamau, Laji Adoyo, Godwin Opinde
9:30am - 12:00pm
Land markets, land subdivisions and economies of money
Edwin Wamukaya Okonyo, Monique Bertrand, Fatoumata Camara, Hannah Kinuthia, Bérénice Bon, Carol Kiarie, Eric Kioko
Functioning of land markets in rural-urban interfaces, land pressure, and flows of financial capital.
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Land tenure insecurity, land conflicts and land digitalization
Dennis Muthama, Lahat Serigne Ndiaye, Mamadou Kouma, Philippe Lavigne-Delville