KDI Blog Lastest happenings and insights from KDI
Kibera
BAMBOO PLANTING AT KPSP01 part two.
After determining everything and also making an agreement with the New Nairobi Dam Community group the Kenya Bamboo Center team and COOPI representative arrived with some seedlings ready to do practical sessions with the groups the group, about what they meant when they came for the projects. There was a combination of manual work which [...]
BAMBOO PLANTING AT KPSP01 part one
Kenya Bamboo Centre representative Mr Pollicurp and Chiara Camozzi from COOPI have been supporting KDI in finding a solution for bamboo treatment, after the termites invaded and attacked some of the bamboos at KDI’s KPSP 03. This brought up an idea of working out a long lasting solution, and also for the future sites. This [...]
A Poem for a Celebration
Last week was an exciting one for KDI as we celebrated the opening of our fourth site in Kibera: KPSP04. We wanted to share with you this new site, but first – for those that were able to attend and for those who were not – we wanted to share some words from the chairman [...]
Deciding Moments Kenyan Election 2013.
After months of campaigning all over the country and traversing the whole country to sell their policies, Kenya decided on its fourth president. For the first time in Kenyan history since the beginning of multiparty democracy, Kenya had a most peaceful campaign with parties moving freely between areas. The Kenyans exercised political maturity in their [...]
Design Workshop for KPSP 05
Between the 26th of January and the 1st of April 2013, we conducted four Design Workshops to initiate our newest project, Kibera Public Space Project 05. Community participants partook in exercises and activities that drew out the information the designers will use to create the project plans. From deciding the programs and businesses to the [...]
WATSAN Portal: Kibera
Last June Spatial Collective and Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) met for the first time. The attraction was instant! Spatial Collective is a Nairobi-based social enterprise that develops innovative tools to support collective action. They specialize in data collection, data visualization, and community engagement and have a number of effective and interesting programs in informal settlements [...]
KPSP03: The Launch
For a long time the dream of accomplishing this project seemed far from becoming a reality, but now we are happy to say that it has come true. It was not easy bringing KPSP 03 to this point of celebration. Since starting the project in September 2011 with physical construction and clean-ups supported by [...]
Launching KPSP03: Part 1
Last week two community groups and KDI celebrated the opening of the third Productive Public Space in Kibera: KPSP03! Here’s a video preview of the celebration: KPSP03 Launch Stay tuned for more pictures and stories from the launch as well as some before and after pictures. -Jessica
KPSP03: Almost There
With each new project we hope that this will be the one with a seamless transition from design to management. Unfortunately, it seems we are still waiting for that day when a project finishes construction without hitting any snags. We started KPSP 03 last summer with these hopes and a completion date of Spring 2012. [...]
KPSP 04: Designing a Public Space
Participatory design is the bedrock of every KDI Productive Public Space. An active role by the community in the design process helps us to create projects that address pressing community needs and ensure sustainable change. This summer in Kibera our intern, April Schneider, designed and conducted each of the workshops for KPSP 04. The workshops [...]
KPSP 04: A Journey to Start
Over the past couple of weeks we’ve shared with you blog posts on the clean-up and official launch of our fourth site in Kibera: KPSP 04. What we haven’t shown you is the long journey it took – over the last 9 months – in order to start construction. After a long Request for Proposals [...]
Visiting Dandora
The KDI Kenyan team recently paid a visit to Dandora, Nairobi’s only legal dumpsite. We were invited by the Chief Environmental Officer in the Department of Environment of the City Council of Nairobi, which is responsible for solid waste management in the city. The Council had previously provided a garbage truck for our Clean Up event at KPSP04 on the 8th of [...]
KPSP 04: Here we go!
On Saturday the 15th of September, KDI formally launched our fourth project in Kibera: KPSP 04. Ground breaking was done by District Officer Hesbon Kayesi and the area Chief Ombati. There were presentations from community members from KPSP 01, 02, 03 and our future site 05. The community groups from KPSP 04 presented. The Ndovu women [...]
KPSP04: A Dirty Beginning
On Saturday September 8th, 2012 KDI initiated our fourth project site in Kibera, Nairobi with a Community Clean-Up. KPSP04 is located on the border of two villages, Laini Saba and Lindi. KDI has partnered with three groups to design, construct, and manage the new Productive Public Space: SlumCare, Usalama Bridge Youth Reform, and Ndovu – [...]
Karibu Summer 2012
We have been working for one-month already this summer, but we wanted to take the time to introduce you to our dynamic and hard working summer interns. Adam Broidy originally hails from Brooklyn, New York and is currently pursuing MBA in Design Strategy at the California College of the Arts (CCA). As a strategist and entrepreneur, Adam [...]
KPSP03: Helen’s Story Part 2
Second Visit: March/April 2012 Using scientific research and local observation, I developed designs for a series of community art plaques that could add color and information to the Kibera landscape. The images took the complex relationship of soil, and parsed it roughly into soil and food production, soil and community health, and soil and ecology. [...]
KPSP03: Helen’s Story Part 1
Inspiration Abroad: Embedded Practice in Kenya by Helen Lessick Introduction As an artist, I am interested in creative practices outside my studio. I have initiated and created permanent artworks in an arboretum, wastewater treatment plant, County executive offices and rural grange. My projects have investigated trees, earthworms, food, water and especially soils. Of course this [...]
KPSP03: Public Art
For the first time, KDI has been working with an artist to create a permanent art installation for a Productive Public Space. Los Angeles artist, Helen Lessick has been working since October 2011 with KDI staff in Kenya and community members from KPSP 03 to manage and create a number of pieces that will be [...]
KPSP03: A PPS UNDERWAY
This past spring and summer KDI’s team in Kenya completed an RFP and site selection process for our third project in Kibera. Like KPSP01 and KPSP02, KPSP03 sits along the river running through Kibera. A larger site then KPSP02, KPSP03 will include a playground, poultry farm, improved drainage, flood control, kiosks, and a community center [...]
Summer 2012 Internship: Design
POSITION: 2012 SUMMER DESIGN INTERNSHIP Location: Nairobi, Kenya Language: Fluency in English (Kiswahili a plus) Start Date: June 2012 – September 2012 Application Due: February 24, 2012 Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is an innovative international partnership specializing in the practices of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and urban planning. KDI is rooted in participatory design [...]
We’re Hiring!: Kibera Field Manager
Kounkuey Design Initiative Position: Kibera Field Manager Location: Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya Language: English and Kiswahili Start Date: February, 2012 Application Due: January 20, 2012 Position Summary Kounkuey Design Initiative is currently looking for a Project Team Supervisor and Micro-Enterprise Program Manager in Kibera, Kenya. The Kibera Field Manager position will be divided as follows: 50% [...]
Design with the Other 90%: Cities
Last weekend the Design with the Other 90%: Cities opened at the United Nations. If you don’t get a chance to visit the exhibit before it closes on January 9th, Places (an online journal of architecture, landscape and urbanism) has posted an essay by Cynthia Smith, curator of socially-responsible design at the Cooper-Hewitt, about her [...]
KPSP 02: Constructing Kiosks
The third physical component at KPSP 02 are the three Kiosks. Built along the road that connects to the bridge and next to the Sanitation Block, the Kiosks will be rented out by community members to sell their goods. There are three kiosks on the site and a small community bench next to the kiosks. [...]