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Steering Energy Transitions through Landscape Governance: Case of Mathare Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya

Author

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  • Peris Njoroge

    (Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation; University of Nairobi, University Way, Nairobi 29053, Kenya)

  • Amollo Ambole

    (Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation; University of Nairobi, University Way, Nairobi 29053, Kenya)

  • Daniel Githira

    (Physical Planner/GIS Analyst; Global Urban Observatory, UN Habitat, Nairobi 30030, Kenya)

  • George Outa

    (Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation; University of Nairobi, University Way, Nairobi 29053, Kenya)

Abstract

Poor households in urban informal settlements face a big challenge in accessing clean energy for cooking, heating, and lighting. We use Kenya’s Mathare informal settlement as a landscape site to better understand how cross-sector collaboration can enhance access to sustainable energy in informal settlements. We also demonstrate that academics are well-placed in facilitating multi-stakeholder engagements between community members, experts, and policy actors. This is pursued by drawing on the results of two energy research projects (CoDEC and AfriCLP). We employ a landscape governance framework to re-conceptualise the findings from the CoDEC and AfriCLP projects. Specifically, we use the ecological, socio-cultural, and political dimensions of landscape governance to discuss the relationships between energy demands and other landscape issues in the case study. In conclusion, the paper recommends landscape governance as a promising approach for integrating energy issues with other competing landscape interests, while also encouraging cross-sector collaboration.

Suggested Citation

  • Peris Njoroge & Amollo Ambole & Daniel Githira & George Outa, 2020. "Steering Energy Transitions through Landscape Governance: Case of Mathare Informal Settlement, Nairobi, Kenya," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:6:p:206-:d:375296
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    References listed on IDEAS

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