In Africa, urban residents are projected to increase from 11.2% to 20.2%, driving higher housing demand. However, the housing sector struggles to keep up, leading to more people living in sub-standard housing, especially in Kenya where informal settlements are growing. This disparity pushes the housing sector towards inefficient and costly solutions. Urbanization and housing construction significantly impact the environment, with the building sector responsible for a large share of global carbon emissions and energy use. In Africa, sustainable housing practices, which consider environmental, social, and economic factors, are often overlooked despite their potential to mitigate climate change impacts and address housing affordability. Bioclimatic and climate-responsive designs, tailored to local conditions, could provide sustainable solutions, especially in Nairobi. This thesis explores these potentials through stakeholder perspectives and literature review.

Affordable Housing:

Affordable housing is generally defined as housing costing no more than 30% of household income, but broader definitions also consider construction costs, “shelter poverty,” and the ability to cover non-housing costs. Effective affordable housing should include quality, location, service access, and long-term affordability. Sustainable affordable housing integrates environmental, social, and economic factors to meet current needs without compromising future generations. This approach promotes energy efficiency, resource utilization, durability, and community building. Sustainable housing aims to provide inclusive, affordable housing with minimal environmental impact.