Reconnecting with Nairobi

March 22, 2025 – 10:00 am
EAT
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Nairobi
Event Recordings

Nairobi has recently been undergoing various infrastructure changes which has led to decline in it’s sense of place that many Nairobians identified with. From the Expressway which snakes it’s way through the city to the rejuvenation of Uhuru and central Parks which are yet to reopen fully. All this has exacerbated the lack of healthy connections to Nairobi. Research shows that Disconnected, poorly designed environments can lead to a sense of isolation, diminished community spirit, and a decline in overall quality of life.

Place attachment goes beyond mere physical spaces—it encompasses the emotional and psychological bonds that people form with their environments. These connections shape our identities, influence our well-being, and enhance our sense of belonging. Which places and buildings in Nairobi are you attached to?

Join us as we discuss How do we can recreate meaningful spaces that promote social cohesion and inspire civic pride in Nairobi? How can the science of place attachment inform successful place-making strategies that inspire pro-environmental and pro-social behaviour?

The event is structured in three parts:

  • Guest Speaker Presentations – Three leading experts will share their groundbreaking work and insights on the future of healing cities. 
  • Panel Discussion – Exploring the role of materials and art in storytelling and place-making. Reflecting on how to design spaces that inspire belonging, connection, and a sense of responsibility. This panel will bring together distinguished guests from the fields of art, architecture, urban design and engineering.
  • Workshop – Future of Urban Design—Wellness and Inclusive Design

This event will serve as a platform for meaningful conversations but also lay the groundwork for a reimagined, more connected, and inspired Nairobi. We’ll discuss the following key topics;

A. Place attachment: What makes Nairobi feel like home? – Nairobi’s heritage and its influence on culture and design. Unpacking the emotional and behavioural impacts of the built environment.

B. Urban Narratives: Materials, Art, Place, and Time – Exploring the role of materials and art in storytelling and place-making. Reflecting on how to design spaces that inspire belonging, connection, and a sense of responsibility.

C. Future of Urban Design: Wellness and Inclusive Design – Designing spaces to achieve holistic wellness/well-being—(creating emotional bonds to our surroundings that shape identity/sensorial design). Inclusive approaches to urban design in Nairobi. (co-design principles and neurodivergent design)

Be part of the conversation. Discover how we can Reconnect with Nairobi.

When and Where :

Date : March 22nd, 2025

Time : 10.00 AM

Venue : ADD, University of Nairobi

Register and stay tuned for further details !

Registration is compulsory as it helps us to set up logistics for the event. 

Please note that registrations are limited and will close when it reaches first 50 participants.

Hosted by

Organised by

Maria Jose Palacio – Urban Planner, Researcher & Advocate for Healthy Cities

Maria Jose Palacio is an urban planner, researcher, and project manager with a strong background in sustainable urban development, public health, and community engagement. With over eight years of experience working across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, she has led urban regeneration initiatives, participatory planning processes, and research on how urban spaces impact well-being.

Her expertise lies in participatory urban planning, governance, and policy advocacy, with a focus on integrating environmental health and social inclusion into city development. She has led and supported various projects on urban regeneration, neighbourhood quality, and public space enhancement, working with the public and private sector, NGOs, UN agencies, municipalities, and local communities to drive evidence-based interventions.

Through her research on urban health, she explores how the quality of neighbourhoods influences social connections, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Kahare Miano is a lecturer at University of Nairobi and a renowned Kenyan artist known for his bold themes on environment, politics, and land issues,highlighting the narratives of those who courageously speak truth to power.
Miano has been a significant figure in Nairobi’s art scene, contributing to initiatives like the ‘Sisi kwa Sisi’ exhibitions, which aimed to reimagine urban spaces through art.

Dr Kigara Kamweru is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Nairobi. He is a leading opinion shaper having been the Head of Department, a curriculum developer and a national commentator on Architectural matters.
His writings and research are focused on the contribution of architecture to practical issues in the urban environment especially the regulation of the building process and the protection of public space. Dr Kamweru is a passionate teacher and thoroughly enjoys interacting with his students and exploring new interpretations of the spatial dimension in our lives.

Leanne Munyori is an environmental psychologist, writer, and design strategist exploring how human experience, behaviour, and regeneration intersect in the built environment. Her work examines how design influences the quality of life—whether through fostering ecological balance, enhancing user experience, or creating spaces that promote a sense of safety and belonging.

As a multiplier of knowledge, she brings interdisciplinary insights into urban resilience, sensory experience, and life-centred design. Her focus on UX in the built environment delves into how environmental stressors shape cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of everyday spaces. She has contributed to the Olfactory Journal, exploring smell, the city, and the sense of self, and uses platforms like Our Rude Empath and Tomorrow by Design to challenge conventional urban practices and foster meaningful dialogue on urban futures.

With a background in psychology and environmental design, she is particularly interested in how cities can be designed to be effective, for emotional and social resilience. She aims to bridge psychology, design, and policy through research, writing, and collaborations, ensuring that built environments support individuals and communities.

As a Fellow of the Centre for Conscious Design’s Nairobi Chapter, she engages in projects and discussions that rethink urbanism, and co-creates with like-minded practitioners and researchers to develop forward-thinking strategies that shape cities as places of care, belonging and delight.