Population Density and Spatial Patterns of Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

Hang Ren, Wei Guo, Zhenke Zhang, Leonard Musyoka Kisovi and Priyanko Das
Additional contact information
Hang Ren: Center of African Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
Wei Guo: Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Zhenke Zhang: Center of African Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
Leonard Musyoka Kisovi: Department of Geography, Kenyatta University, Nairobi 43844, Kenya
Priyanko Das: Center of African Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The widespread informal settlements in Nairobi have interested many researchers and urban policymakers. Reasonable planning of urban density is the key to sustainable development. By using the spatial population data of 2000, 2010, and 2020, this study aims to explore the changes in population density and spatial patterns of informal settlements in Nairobi. The result of spatial correlation analysis shows that the informal settlements are the centers of population growth and agglomeration and are mostly distributed in the belts of 4 and 8 km from Nairobi’s central business district (CBD). A series of population density models in Nairobi were examined; it showed that the correlation between population density and distance to CBD was positive within a 4 km area, while for areas outside 8 km, they were negatively related. The factors determining population density distribution are also discussed. We argue that where people choose to settle is a decision process between the expected benefits and the cost of living; the informal settlements around the 4-km belt in Nairobi has become the choice for most poor people. This paper ends with suggestions for urban planning and upgrading informal settlements. The findings will increase our understanding of urban population distribution in underdeveloped countries.

Keywords: Nairobi; population density model; informal settlements; spatial correlation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/18/7717/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/18/7717/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7717-:d:415438

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().