KURA partners with Architects to design Modern Footbridges

Last Updated 9 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has partnered with Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) to sponsor a competition to design modern urban footbridges in Kenya. The two institutions agreed to work together not only in the realization in design but also in the full implementation of the project.

Eng. Silas Kinoti the Ag. Director General of KURA entered the agreement officially with AAK officials led by Mr. Jacob Mwangi, the AAK executive Officer on 21st April.  ‘We want modern designs for urban footbridges that take into consideration universal access, security, adaptability to the environment, aesthetically appealing to both pedestrians and motorists. Some of the current footbridges do not have these values and pedestrians feel uncomfortable utilizing them despite the dangers they are exposed to by crossing busy roads. It is our expectation that these modern footbridges will be safe, highly attractive and user-friendly to the pedestrians,’ said Eng. Silas Kinoti.

The designs are to be realized through a completion. This targets university students undertaking architecture and related fields and is intended to create an opportunity for them to showcase their talents and provide practical solutions to modern urban planning challenges. The winners will earn One hundred and twenty-five thousand Kenya shillings

There will also be a logo competition for Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (NITS) being implemented by KURA. Gauff Consultants has officially begun the implementation of NITS. The Contract with KURA was signed in December 2016, the benefiting institution being Nairobi City County (NCC). The government of the Republic of Kenya (GoK) and the World Bank (WB) fund the Project under the National Urban Transport Improvement Programme (NUTRIP). The objective of this project is to develop a modern ITS for Nairobi County that will reduce congestion and accidents and provide a tool for the Nairobi City to better manage the transportation network.  Winners in this category will earn sixty thousand shillings. 

The closing date for submissions will be 26th May 2017. Submissions to be forwarded to aak@aak.or.ke