New Towns, Land Values and Land Use Dynamics: A Case Study of Konza Techno City in Kenya

This paper is based on a research carried out in Preparation of a structure plan for Konza Techno City in Kenya. Konza Techno City is one of the flagship projects under the Kenya Vision 2030. The establishment of a new town is supposed to spur economic development in the area. This paper explores the land dynamics as a result of this development. There are three principal methods of research used here: documentary analysis, interviews and reflexive practice. The paper explores the land dynamics from the time the project was mooted in 2000 to 2012 when the research was undertaken. The proposed Konza City has opened up the area for development resulting in land use change and land value rise. The impact of the project changes in land use from ranches to settlement, or from wildlife corridor to settlement, rise in land values to as high as 600%, displacement of the local population by Nairobi population who can afford the high land values and rampant speculation and subdivision into smaller portions. The results imply a need to integrate regional planning into government strategic development plans. Policymakers should consult widely before designating certain areas for development especially if it will have an impact on wildlife which is a scarce resource.The research limitation is that the project was implemented at the time that the group ranches were being disbanded and land being subdivided meaning that even without Konza City, the land values and use would still have changed but not to such a magnitude. This research is of importance to any government wishing to implement new towns because it gives an indication of what would happen to the land resource and how to plan for resultant changes.