Urban Monde Projects Documentation

Twentieth century was a period of profound and distinct growth all characterized by political and technological changes and most distinctly, in the growth of numbers of people on the globe. Humankind has undergone a rapid increase in numbers and this significant growth has particularly occurred in the urban areas in the developing regions such as Nairobi and various other cities all around the world. According to the world population review, Kenya’s capital holds a population of 6.54 million a population growth that is significantly concentrated within the informal settlement that are delineated by inadequate access to clean water, lack of access to sanitation facilities and proper infrastructure, poor structural quality of housing, overcrowding just to name the least.

However, around the continent residents continue to channel their efforts towards transforming their communities. The Kenyan Federation of Slum Dwellers that brings together communities from the different informal settlements in Kenya sets the pace in seeking to change the narrative through mobilizing urban poor communities to influence real changes within their localities. Through infusing key components of mobilization, advocacy, engagement with key stakeholders while capitalizing on community savings, the federation has showed inspiring examples of transformation through improved housing and delivery of services. The journey that started off over twenty years ago has borne visible achievements seen through some of the various projects that are community owned. These projects featured as part of KYCTV Kenya film productions tell the tales of grassroots communities that are taking center stage in positively transforming their communities through active participation at the forefront.

THE WINNING FILMS

Film has always been used as a storytelling medium, a fascinating method of sharing the tales and anecdotes of cinematic characters with viewers all around the world. Films are made up of stories and are undoubtedly an integral part of our society and culture which many at time helps to bring visibility of different issues that matter to a wider audience.

Creating visibility through art sets the cornerstone for the youth documenters equipped with skills to create films. These films revolve around their communities aiming to bring to the fore some of the federation’s inspiring examples of communities that are transforming their neighborhoods. The young filmmakers have produced a number of films sharing about the lived experiences and the success stories of the urban poor communities with some of the films gaining a recognition at a global platform such as the 2019 Co-Habitat awards. Three of the doc-features produced by the filmmakers bagged an award under the Audience Award Category at the Co-Habitat awards earlier in May taking a lead among various other countries. The captivating docu-feature films that capture some of the federation’s community driven projects were recognized in an award ceremony at the inaugural UN habitat Assembly in Nairobi attended by delegates from different states around the world.

Mukuru SPA

The five minute docu-feature film on Mukuru Special Planning area features voices of the technical support team, the community and the youth involved in the planning process. The film whose setting is in Mukuru, an informal settlement at the East of Kenya’s Capital in Embakasi constituency, gives an overview of the planning activities rolled out since the declaration of the Special Planning area in Mukuru till date painting a clear picture of collective community participation and involvement at the center. The film creates a platform for visibility of the participatory process in Mukuru, which brings together the government the federation, academia and other participating organizations.

Kibera RAP Project

The project fueled by the need to seek alternatives to forced evictions foresaw the Federation work with the government to create sustainable housing schemes while minimizing displacement of residents. The docu feature, gives insights into the role played by the federation which involved working with the government and other key stakeholders in the profiling and enumeration process for planning purposes. Undoubtedly, the docu feature whose opening montage displays a block of a properly designed three storied housing structure at the heart of Kibera slum, set the pace for successful relocation action plan of slum dwellers faced by eviction threats.

Nakuru Housing project.

The docu- feature film centered on the achievements of the Nakuru West federation network takes the audience through an interesting journey where communities capitalize on savings to secure land and housing. The five minute feature film whose setting is in Nakuru, a vibrant town bordering Kenya’s capital at the Northwest, showcases first hand a model for a people-led habitat solution that is all inclusive and community driven.

Winning the Co-Habitat 2019 awards goes down in history as an achievement not only for the youth film makers but for the federation at large for recognition of inspiring community driven projects with an aim to support expansion of community led developments within the informal settlements.