Land use transformations incorporating social amenities since the last phase of the houses were occupied in 1983 in Buru Buru Estate, Nairobi, Kenya

Urban areas in Africa and Kenya in particular are faced with increased growth of planned settlements transforming into unplanned ones. The study therefore draws attention to this neglected aspect of transformation in housing by seeking to compare the emergent land use transformations in Buru Buru estate, Nairobi Kenya with the original design incorporating social amenities since the last phase of the houses were occupied in 1983. The study used case study research strategy and collected both qualitative and quantitative data using structured interviews, digital photography and analyses of archival drawings and satellite maps. The study established that at the original allocation of land use to different social amenities categories had been greatly transformed during the last 20 years. Comparison of the emergent and original land use design led the study to conclude that there have been emergent land use transformations in Buru Buru estate since the final phase was occupied in 1983. The study recommends that professionals, developers and authorities need to play their roles effectively in the development of any housing unit in order to mitigate the phenomenon of emergent structures after occupation. The knowledge generated shall add to the knowledge base required by architects, urban designers, planners and developers in the planning and design of residential neighborhoods.