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EFFECTS OF HUMAN SPARTIAL EXPERIENCE AND CIRCULATION. A CASE OF

KAWANGWARE INFORMAL MARKET.

MWANGEMI RAPHAEL MWANGEKA

AB241-4876/2014

PROJECT PROPOSAL.
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
The research explores the interrelation between human experiences in an informal market setup
highlighting issues regarding spatial and circulation considerations. Design of market places is key as it
helps in improving the cost of production and operation directly and indirectly. Properly designed market
places result in, higher economic returns, security, better legibility and reduced congestions hence better
circulation and management interventions.

Located in Nairobi County, Dagoretti constituency between Naivasha and Gitanga road, Kawangware
market is where individuals showcase and trade their wares thus a source of employment for its residents.
As a frequent user of the market, there are several spatial design issues affecting the market place that
need to be addressed namely; Inadequate circulation space leading to congestion, inadequate trading
space, inadequate sanitary facility, poor drainage systems, inadequate waste disposal mechanism within
the market, inadequate coordination of the institutions governing the market place that is the Nairobi City
Council, the Utumishi Self Help Group and the Kawangware Market Development Society.

Figure 01

Inadequate trading space leading to residents

trading along the roads and street leading to
inadequate circulation.

(Source: By Author)

Figure 02

Inadequate trading space leading to residents

trading along the roads and street leading to
congestion

(Source: By Author)
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Figure 03

Poor drainage system and inadequte waste

disposal mechanisms

(Source: By Author)

Figure 04

Lack of proper infrastructure and drainage

channels

(Source: Author)

Based on the issues highlighted, this study aims at creating a standard model of a market that can be
replicated on other areas i.e. towns and cities that will operate efficiently and be beneficial to the market
users and its neighborhood residents.
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3ABSTRACT

Based on the aforementioned issues on the problem statement, the project aims to develop a coordinated
framework owing to various institutions namely, Nairobi City Council, Utumishi Self Help Group, and
the Kawangware Market Development Society concerned with the management and market operations by
ensuring effective functional use of the market place through exploration of design, circulation whilst
maintaining the whole “chaotic market place experience” as illustrated by scholars.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions addresses the following;

1) How to handle the influx of people handling different commodities through architectural design
and enhance their whole market experience?
2) How to come up with mitigation strategies addressing issues highlighted?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1) General Objectives:
Propose planning and design interventions for the effective operations of the market place and its
use.
Propose and appropriate implementation framework for the proposed remodeling of the market.

2) Specific Objectives:
Document the pattern of the built form highlighting major circulation areas and the whole spatial
experience.
Document the activity systems of the users in the market place.

FINDINGS

1) Lack of adequate space allocated to the traders resulting to most traders conducting business on
the ground
2) Encroachment into the market paths causing congestion limiting circulation to other areas.
3) Uneven customer distribution in the market areas.
4) Poor managements by the management authorities resulting to lack of coordination and
utilizations of the market place.
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CONCLUSIONS

1) There should be a coordinated framework among various institutions concerned with the
management and operations of the market.
2) Create enough spaces to stop the encroachment into market paths by merging spill out areas of
the main market.
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RESEARCH DESIGN.

The purpose of the study is to highlight types of data sought, their sources, and the subjects targeted for
the particular study. All this informed by the research objectives.

The information sought is on;

a) Policy and legal guidelines comprising of zoning regulations and development control
information
b) Planning standards for various land uses
c) Lessons from various case studies
d) Location and historical development of the project area highlighting physical attributes and
characteristics population and demographics.

The data for the aforementioned is got from both primary and secondary sources while the physical and
environmental characteristic of the land will be through site analysis.

Major data collection methods includes;

Primary Data Collection

a) Observation

Involves capturing observable variables and recording them down. Such variables include user behavior,
market design and its characteristics.

b) Field Sketching

This is illustrating various features and their purposes in the market place by drawing, this include
streetscapes perspectives, elevations and cross-sections of various market structures.

c) Photography

Photography captures the condition of the site/market place highlighting the drainage systems, transport
networks, people undertaking various activities, buildings and their construction materials.

d) Interviews

This is one on one interactions to the users of the market place. The respondents to be interviewed will
majorly be key informants i.e. the city council, market users that is the retailers and the customers and
government officials
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Secondary Data Collection

a) Literature Reviews
This entails studying previous written journals, books, studies/research written by other relating
to the study topic, and reviewed policies and legal guidelines regarding planning of a market
place.

The table below indicates the summary of the research design indicating objectives variables and research
methods to be used.
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OBECTIVES VARIABLES RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH

TYPE METHODS TECHNIQUE TOOLS
General Objectives Circulation. Field Observation Recording Observation
Propose planning and design Research various tools
interventions for the effective Market size and area. typologies by Observation
operations of the market use of sketches checklist
place and its use. Size of market stalls photographs
and number.
Propose and appropriate Library Document Reference
Content
implementation framework Stability and visual Research analysis Books
analysis
for the proposed remodeling Inertia. Analysis of
Recording of
of the market. archival
notes
information

Specific Objectives: Passive engagement Field Observation Recording Camera

Document the pattern of the (observing the people Research Use of various Sketch Pad
built form highlighting and activities carried Sketches typologies by Observation
major circulation areas and out). Photography use of sketches checklist and
the whole spatial experience. Active engagements photographs tools

Document the activity Use Behavior Field Focused Open and Interviews
systems of the users in the Research interviews. ended Standards
market place. Market design Questionnaire questions to Questionnair
characteristics s (To the determine the es
market users relationship of
both retailers subjects and
and the built form
customers.)