Konza Technopolis

Konza Technopolis, previously called Konza Technology City, is a large technology hub planned by the government of Kenya to be built 64 km (39 mi) south of Nairobi on the way to the port city of Mombasa.[1][2] It is marketed as a key driver of Kenya's national development plan, known as Kenya Vision 2030. As of January 2019, the project appeared to be far behind schedule.[3]

Konza Technopolis
LocationMachakos/Makueni/Kajiado Buffer Zone
Coordinates1.689°S 37.185°E / -1.689; 37.185
DeveloperHR&A Advisors, Inc
Construction costKshs 1.2 trillion
ArchitectSHoP Architects
Size2,000 ha (5,000 acres)
Websitewww.konza.go.ke

The plan

Konza Technopolis is a business process outsourcing (BPO) project that is being marketed by the Kenyan government through Kenya ICT Board. It is dubbed "where Africa's silicon savannah begins".[4] According to the Konza information website, the project wants to attract business process outsourcing, software development, data centres, disaster recovery centres, call centres and light assembly manufacturing industries; and build a university campus focused on research and technology as well as hotels, residential areas, schools and hospitals.[2] It is also intended to include a science park, a convention centre, shopping malls, hotels, international schools, and a health facility.

The project is intended to be built 64 km south of Nairobi on the way to the port city of Mombasa, on 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of land spanning three counties namely Machakos County, Makueni County, and Kajiado County on a 10-kilometre radius buffer zone.[5][6][2][7] It is estimated to cost 1.2 trillion Kenyan shillings (approx US$14.5bn).[1] It is marketed as a key driver of Kenya's national development plan, known as Kenya Vision 2030.[1][2]

Design team

The Ministry of Information and Communications (Kenya) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) engaged Master Delivery Partner 1 (MDP1) to prepare a detailed business plan and master plan for Phase 1 in July 2012. The Expression of Interest for this assignment attracted 22 firm responses, narrowed to 6 in a shortlist. The Ministry and IFC selected the team led by HR&A Advisors, Inc. of New York City leading a 6-firm international team:

  • HR&A Advisors, Inc.; A real estate and economic development advisory firm specialising in large-scale master plan implementation.
  • SHoP Architects: An architecture and planning firm creating the conceptual design for the sales pavilion and the urban design for Phase 1.
  • Dalberg Global Development Advisors: An international strategy consulting firm with a Nairobi presence advising on economic strategy, tenant outreach, and organisational strategy for the KOTDA.
  • Center for Urban and Regional Planning: A Nairobi-based physical planning firm preparing the Local Physical Development Plan for Konza
  • OZ Architecture: A design firm providing sustainability strategies for Konza.
  • Tetra Tech: An international engineering services firm developing the infrastructure concepts for Konza.
  • Dar Al-Handasah: An International engineering services firm carrying out the Construction supervision services

Development

Konza Technopolis was allowed by the Parliament Account Committee and endorsed by the Kenyan Government.[8]

The initial feasibility and concept master plan was prepared jointly by Deloitte and Pell Frischmann, a UK-based design consultancy and funded by the International Finance Corporation.[9] At that stage, the project brief was limited to a Technology Park of 280 ha (700 acres) with BPO/ IT businesses at its core. During the feasibility study, Pell Frischmann proposed a city—Konza Technology City, to make the technology park a more viable destination. The Kenyan government agreed and commissioned a new master plan for a city of 2,000 ha (5,000 acres) that was completed by Pell Frischmann.[2]

See also

References
  1. Anderson, Mark (5 January 2015). "Kenya's tech entrepreneurs shun Konza 'silicon savannah'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  2. "Kenya begins construction of 'silicon' city Konza". BBC News. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  3. "Kenya Struggles to Give Life to Futuristic 'Silicon Savannah' City | Voice of America – English". Voanews.com. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  4. "Konza City: Everything You Need to Know in 2022". Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  5. "KONZA TECHNOCITY BUFFER ZONE EXTENT PER COUNTY" (PDF). Konza.go.ke. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  6. "Three counties commit to creation of buffer zone in Konza city". The-star.co.ke. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  7. "Charity Ngilu's Konza remarks raise storm – Daily Nation". Nation.co.ke.
  8. "Patrick Thuita; Construction News "Kenya to build sh1.2Trillion ICT PARK". Constructionkenya.com.
  9. "Pell Frischmann "Athi River SEZ, Kenya"". Peeefrischmann.com.
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