The Construction by Chinese Players of Roads and Housing in Nairobi: The transfer of town planning practices between China and Kenya

ABSTRACT: As a result of China’s increasing presence in Africa, Chinese urban development projects are increasing in number in the continent’s cities. In Nairobi, Chinese development aid and state companies are helping to build road infrastructure. Chinese property developers, who are for the most part private, are building and selling housing for the middle classes. Urban projects being carried out by public and private Chinese players are helping the development of the Kenyan capital and the exportation of Chinese urban planning and design practices to Africa. They represent a vector of the power of attraction of China. This article sets out the results of a field study. KEYWORDS: China-Africa, South-South cooperation, town planning, housing, infrastructure, urban planning and design practices, globalisation, Kenya, Nairobi.