THE EFFECT OF SPATIAL PLANNING PATTERNS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PEDESTRIANS IN PUBLIC SPACES OF RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOODS IN THE CITY OF NAIROBI

Abstract

This  study  focuses  on public  spaces  of  residential  neighbourhoods  in  the  City  of Nairobi.  It  establishes  various  spatial  characteristics,  hence  patterns,  that  have  a bearing  on  the  distribution  of  pedestrians  therein.  A  higher  encounter  rate  of pedestrians  is  a  desirable  public  space  quality  given  that  the  higher  degree  of surveillance  accorded  to  space  has  the  attendant  benefit  of  deterring  crime. Whereas  the  public  spaces  are  intended  to  be  a  physical  setting  for  people  to socialize,  move  from  one  place  to  another,  engage  in business  or  recreational activities,  some  spaces  are  devoid  of  or  have  sub‐optimal  encounter  rates  of pedestrians due to weaknesses in spatial planning of the settlements. Such spaces have  consequently  failed  to  fulfill  the  roles  ascribed  to  them  and  instead  have become  neglected  and  unsafe  to  operate  in.  Space  syntax  and  structured observation have been used to collect data. Multiple regression analysis establishes that nine public space variables significantly predict the distribution of pedestrians in public space. The significant public space variables are grouped into the following four public space planning patterns that thus explain human distribution in public space:  integration,  constitutedness,  land  use  planning  and  connectivity.  The patterns inform generation of spatial planning policies whose utilization in layout of residential neighbourhoods results in desirable distribution of pedestrians in public space environments.