Urban Design Factors that Influence Women’s Choice of Route of Movement: The Case of Nairobi Central Business District

Abstract

Little consideration has been given to the issues of women in the urban environment. With the lack of provision of women friendly streets and street elements, poorly lit and unsafe streets, Nairobi Central Business District’s (C.B.D) streets disregard women’s needs. The research sought to establish the Urban Design factors that influence women’s choice of route of movement in Nairobi C.B.D. The research was designed as a survey, using observation and interview methods. The study found that women’s choice of route of movement is a product of mix of land uses, the social environment on the street, visibility of buildings along a route and transparency of spaces from the street. To a lesser degree, openness of the street, length of route and a street’s complexity, are important variables determining choice of route of movement. In order to integrate women in the streets, it is desirable to incorporate building uses that generate street activity, improve visual connectedness between the street and the building as well as remedy areas where visibility is impaired.

Key words: Nairobi, women, route of movement, Urban design factors