Summary and recordings from our webinar October 30th

Oddrun Helen Hagen

Read our summary and watch the recording from the webinar.

World Cities Day 2025: Mukuru Special Planning Area and Slum Upgrading – Will it break or hold? Community-led Slum Upgrading – Case Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya.

October 30th 2025 

Habitat Norway in collaboration with Slumwellers International and:

Watch the recording on Habitat Norway´s Youtube channel.

In short about this recording

The meeting explored urbanization challenges and Habitat Norway‘s role in promoting sustainable city development through various initiatives, including a slum upgrading project in Nairobi’s Mukuru Special Planning Area. The discussion highlighted community-led planning processes and the importance of collective action in addressing infrastructure needs and advocating for improved services in informal settlements. The conversation concluded with presentations on community-led housing initiatives and innovative financing solutions, emphasizing the need for transparent and inclusive approaches to housing development that prioritize affordability and access as human rights.

Summary

Urban Development and Slum Upgrading

The meeting focused on urbanization issues and the work of Habitat Norway, a civil society organization established in 1988. The discussion highlighted the importance of cities in the UN development agenda and Habitat Norway’s role in keeping the global urban agenda alive. The meeting also featured Kamila Gojobe and Laura Marano, who were invited to speak about the slum upgrading project in Mukuru, a special planning area in Nairobi. They discussed the initiative’s background, key outcomes, and the role of community organizing in urban development.

Mukuru SPA Development Challenges

Kamila explained the history and significance of Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA), highlighting its declaration as a special planning area due to unique challenges in sanitation, development, and infrastructure. She described the community-led planning process, which involved data collection, advocacy, and collaboration with government agencies to address the needs of the residents. The SPA initiative aimed to improve services and infrastructure in informal settlements, with approximately 100,000 households in Mukuru Viwandani, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, and Mukuru Kwa Njenga benefiting from the project. Despite initial progress under the previous government, there have been concerns about the implementation of planned improvements and reports of violent evictions under the new administration.

Mukuru Infrastructure and Community Empowerment

Sarah Ouma (SDI Kenya) described improvements in Mukuru Special Planning Area, including the addition of hospitals and better roads, while Kamila highlighted the impact of a simplified land allocation system that enabled community members to create shared sanitation facilities within plots. The discussion revealed how these developments have empowered residents to advocate for infrastructure improvements and engage with government officials, as demonstrated by their successful collaboration on bridge construction after flooding.

Community Advocacy and Organizing Evolution

Kamila discussed how communities have become more aware and organized in advocating for their needs, particularly in redesigning a bridge after it was swept away. She highlighted the power of collective action and the importance of working together to effect change, even in the context of climate issues. Laura inquired about Muungano’s response to funding shortages following the withdrawal of USAID support for HIV/AIDS programs, to which Kamila explained that while the organization was not directly affected, it has responded by creating mental health support groups and exploring referral options for those in need. Kamila also noted that community organizing has evolved, with a greater emphasis on online spaces and creative methods to engage young people, such as using art and digital platforms to foster advocacy and awareness.

Mukuru Land Rights Legal Battle

The discussion focused on the legal and political aspects of the Mukuru Special Planning Area project. Kamila explained that while there is no formal land ownership documentation, residents feel more secure due to government implementation of infrastructure and services. Emma Elfversson (Uppsala University) asked about plans for formalizing individual housing rights and political support, to which Kamila responded that a court case is ongoing regarding land rights, and while the national government initially supported the project, implementation has slowed under the current administration, though local leaders have taken up some initiatives independently.

SPAs in Mukuru and Mathare

The discussion focused on the implementation of Special Planning Areas (SPAs) in Mukuru and Mathare, with Kamila explaining that while affordable housing was built in Mukuru, the government’s approach lacked community consultation and made the housing unaffordable for residents due to high rental costs and mandatory furnished units. Mikkel Harder from the SDI Secretariat noted that SPAs provide a long-term development perspective even without resolving land issues, similar to Accra’s 5-7 year presidential cycle approach. The conversation concluded with Kamila describing how lessons learned from Mukuru’s SPA implementation are being shared with Mathare residents through exchanges and support, emphasizing the importance of patience and collective action in achieving sustainable urban development.

Community-Led Housing Research Overview

Paula Sevilla Núñez, presented a research project on community-led housing, highlighting its benefits and challenges. She discussed how community-led housing initiatives can provide quality of life, social cohesion, agency, and economic benefits, but are often undervalued by policymakers. The project identified enablers and blockers for community-led housing, including organizational partnerships, policies, and finance. Paula briefly touched on case studies from different countries, showcasing how communities have overcome obstacles to advance community-led housing initiatives.

Empowa’s Housing Financing Solutions

Marie-Odile Zanders presented Empowa, a FinTech company that addresses affordable housing challenges by providing innovative financing solutions. She explained how Empowa’s digital platform enables informal workers to access housing through rent-to-own schemes, with flexible payment options and transparent tracking of contributions. The presentation highlighted a successful proof of concept in Mozambique, where 30 families were able to purchase houses within two weeks, demonstrating the system’s potential to increase financial inclusion and reduce transaction costs for both developers and investors.

Housing Affordability and Finance Challenges

The discussion focused on housing affordability challenges in both the Global North and South, with Paula explaining that IIED’s Housing Justice Team challenges systems that prioritize housing as an investment over its use as a basic need. Marie-Odile highlighted the importance of community building in the Global South and emphasized the need for transparent, inclusive financing models that prevent capital from becoming extortionate. The conversation concluded with a discussion about digitization’s role in creating transparency and accountability in housing finance, particularly in relation to real estate investment trusts and complex ownership structures.

Housing Rights and Finance Strategies

The meeting focused on the discussion of housing as a human right and the role of capital in housing development. Marie-Odile and Paula emphasized the importance of transparency, values, and collective goals in organizing housing finance, while André Kramer Goes (Habitat Norway), highlighted the need for social movements to demand and protect the right to housing. The conversation explored various financing mechanisms, including private and public partnerships, and the importance of aligning decisions with the goal of affordable housing for all.

The working team for the event: 

SDI: Mikkel Harder, Esley Philander, Sarah OumaHabitat Norway: André Kraemer Góes, Viriginia Gravalos, Anantha Krishan, Erik Berg og Kjersti Grut