Development of an Urban Conservation Planning Framework Based on Heritage Values: A Survey of Historic Townscapes along the Kenya Railway

Abstract

Kenya’s, the origins of urban development and its colonial railroad are inseparable. Despite this historic significance, townscape heritage around railway stations is at risk of loss, it remains unidentified and without a common conservation approach. The study examined the characteristics of selected heritage townscapes along the Kenya Railway, identified heritage values, determined conservation needs and developed a planning framework for the historic townscapes. Literature review showed that the survey of townscapes for heritage and their values is central to understanding their significance. A mixed-methods approach and a cross-sectional research design were adopted. Three towns, Limuru, Naivasha and Molo, were selected as purposive samples. Precincts around railway stations were delimited for each town, and data collected through observation guides, maps and interview schedules. 360 respondents were interviewed in representative population ratios of the towns: 70 in Limuru, 160 in Naivasha, and 130 in Molo. Heritage value attitudinal statements on a Likert scale were used. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to determine latent values held for townscape heritage, while descriptive statistics were used to analyse the status of heritage and conservation needs. Findings revealed a heritage footprint of 10.3%, 8.4% and 19.4% for Limuru, Naivasha and Molo respectively. For the EFA, the Chi-Square test was significant (p < .05), and the null hypothesis that all variables are uncorrelated in the population and the correlation matrix is an identity matrix was rejected. Five main heritage values explaining 43.28% of the total variance were extracted from the factor solution. Their interpretation was: cultural continuity, functional-economic, identity, placeness and historicity. Additionally, three values; rarity, evidence and memory were identified to complete the spectrum of meanings. Five townscape conservation needs were determined: condition of walkways, capacity to provide employment, level of tourism, level of railway functions, and state of heritage and knowledge of heritage. A planning framework for the historic townscapes was formulated for the identification of heritage, and application of value-based conservation. It was concluded that there was a heritage footprint with significance to residents. In addition, the identified heritage values were interdependent and thematically communicated communities’ aspirations, and should guide the values-based approach to successful planning for historic townscapes. Recommendations were; integrating heritage surveys and conservation planning, responding to heritage values in conservation plans, and initiating urban development programmes that improve social-cultural dimensions, physical environment, accessibility, and economics. Suggested areas for further study were to establish lost heritage footprint over time, and to carry out a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the factor structure obtained through EFA. Keywords: conservation; heritage footprint; heritage values; historic planning; townscape heritage.