AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW

Editorial Board

Robert Rukwaro — Wed, 15 May 2024 11:27:55 +0000

The Africa Habitat Review Journal strives to impart knowledge and facilitate exchange of ideas among stakeholders in the built environment to keep abreast of new technology, research and development so that they can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their services. Further, it is intended to enable both academicians and non-academicians in the built environment to publish, lobby and influence policy formulation. The Journal links theory and practice in the built environment within the Kenyan, regional and International context.

Content

Robert Rukwaro — Wed, 15 May 2024 12:03:55 +0000

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 1 (MAY 2024)

CONTENT

VII Editorial
Prof. Robert W. Rukwaro

2685. Deployment of Minimum Standard Strictures in the Kenya Building Regulations:
A Reflection
Kigara Kamweru, Owiti A. K’Akumu and Robert Rukwaro

2693. A Framework for Enhancing Quality Assurance Practices of Building Contractors
Esther Njoki Gacheru, Stephen Diangá, Sylvester Masu and Richard Onchiri

2707. Performance Based Routine Maintenance Contracting for Low Volume Sealed Roads

Paul G. Macharia, Simpson Nyambane Osano and Sixtus Kinyua Mwea

2721. Mainstreaming Participatory Approaches in Slum Upgrading Programmes:

A Case Study of Soweto East Project in Kibera, Nairobi

George K. Nyamu and Luke M. Obala

2729. Impact of Institutional Frameworks on Safety and Health in Construction Sites:

Enhancing Safe Practices in Nairobi

Jacquelyne J. Legishion, Owiti A. K'Akumu and Isabella Njeri Wachira

2743. Evaluation of Roads 2000 Program in Kenya
Paul G. Macharia, Simpson Nyambane Osano and Sixtus Kinyua Mwea

2755. Cost and Load Effect Comparisons Between Reinforced Concrete Integral and Non-Integral Bridge Using Experimental and Analytical Examinations
Osano Simpson Nyambane, Mellese Yimam and Silvester Abuodha

Editorial

Robert Rukwaro — Wed, 15 May 2024 12:20:22 +0000

EDITORIAL

Building Regulation, Quality Assurance Practice and Road Infrastructural Design and Maintenance

Welcome to the Nineteenth Volume Issue 1 of the Africa Habitat Review-Journal of the Faculty of Built Environment and Design. In this issue there are diverse contributions on issues relating building regulations, quality assurance in construction industry, maintenance of roads, costing and design of bridges, safety and health in construction sites and participatory approaches in slum upgrading programmes.

The article on Deployment of Minimum Standard Strictures in the Kenya Building Regulations: A Reflection examines how the strictures has been reflected in the Kenyan building code and relates it to the fundamental philosophy underlying the code. It uses inductive logics and content analysis of collected data. The study found out that the minimum standards in the building regulations is a protective act. The study recommends an imposition of minimum standards in the regulation process to compel the builders, and by extension the broader society, to commit resources to attain them.

A Framework for Enhancing Quality Assurance Practices of Building Contractors is an article on assessing the extent to which contractors apply quality assurance practices and thereafter develop a framework to enhance quality assurance practices of building contractors in Kenya. Ten quality assurance practices were identified from literature review and their importance ranked by respondents through a questionnaire survey. The level and frequency of application of the practices was assessed using relative importance index. The most important practices were process control, management responsibility and, inspection and testing. The least ranked were internal quality audits, and control of inspection, measuring and test equipment. The most frequently applied practices were process control, inspection and testing, and purchase control. The least frequently applied practices were training, internal quality audits, and control of equipment. The article recommends the enhancing of quality assurance practices of building contractors through the use of ISO 9001 standards and Force Field Analysis.

The article on Performance Based Routine Maintenance Contracting for Low Volume Sealed Roads evaluates the level and extent of maintenance planning and implementation on improved projects, and also the effectiveness of the embedded performance-based maintenance contracts in ensuring that prioritisation for maintenance was enhanced, and that acceptable service levels were maintained during the period the contracts were in effect, and drawing the lessons learnt. An overall assessment of the investment in maintenance of completed projects under the Roads 2000 program was carried out, from the time the initial projects were handed over for maintenance, up until when the phase two projects were completed and handed over. Correlation was drawn between the previous efforts in maintenance prior to introduction of performance-based maintenance contracting, and thereafter. It was observed that performance-based contracts had an overall effect of increasing the road lengths that were maintained, and also led to an increase on the level of prioritisation for maintenance. There was an observed increase on the budgetary allocation per unit length of road per year with the introduction of performance-based routine maintenance. The article recommends the monitoring of set service levels needs to be improved during the management of performance-based contracts.

The Mainstreaming Participatory Approaches in Slum Upgrading Programmes: A case study of Soweto East project in Kibera; Nairobi is an article on the relationship between effective stake-holder engagement and /or participatory approaches on sustainability of slum upgrading using Soweto East in Kibera. Data was obtained largely through a review of reports and literature. The results of the study indicated that there was low level of participation by the affected resi-dents and other stakeholders. This led to mistrusts and misconceptions and consequently poor design and mixed results on the overall project success. It thus concluded that there is need for robust community engagement especially in slum upgrading; ensuring that slum upgrading pro-jects integrate livelihood and beneficiary economic activities for inclusive and sustainable de-velopment. In addition, the article recommends an engagement processes that is based on genu-ine collaboration to foster trust and desire for success between the various stakeholders.

This article on Impact of Institutional Frameworks on Safety and Health in Construction Sites: Enhancing Safe Practices in Nairobi examines the effectiveness of regulatory institutions in enforcing compliance with safety and health practices on Kenyan construction sites. Prior evi-dence, largely anecdotal, indicated suboptimal performance by these institutions, a claim yet to be substantiated empirically. The study surveyed 889 registered construction sites in Nairobi. A random sample of 210 sites were chosen using simple random and convenience sampling for comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analyses. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires and observation checklists, with a response rate of 78.4%. Findings indicate that regulatory institutions significantly influence adherence to safety and health practices, albeit with a compliance rate of only 62%. It is concluded that safety and health regulation compli-ance at Kenyan construction sites is inadequate. Inefficiencies within regulatory bodies are identified as a key factor in this shortfall. The study advocates for a policy overhaul by the regu-latory institutions to align with and effectively address the present safety and health realities in Kenya’s construction sector.

Evaluation of Roads 2000 Program in Kenya is an article that examines the maintenance levels on low volume sealed roads, and come up with recommendations to be adopted on the current and similar problems in the future. Performance assessment was undertaken by carrying out sur-face condition surveys on sampled roads under the Roads 2000 program. It was determined that the priority for maintenance of completed low volume roads was normally affected by the sur-rounding poor network, and therefore, adequate maintenance was not routine. Review of per-formance of the low volume roads showed that whereas the improved roads were having great impact on the recipient populace, the lack of adequate maintenance was in most cases lead to early failure of the completed roads, and inadequate drainage was a leading factor in the uncon-trolled deterioration of these roads. Further, the study found that some roads with low servicea-bility index of below 2.5 required rehabilitation and timely corrective work. The study recom-mends that a proper and all-round conditional assessment followed by timely, suitable and effi-cient maintenance regimes, to ensure the roads meet their design lives and continue serving the area population.

Lastly, the article on Cost and load effect comparisons between reinforced concrete integral and non-integral bridge using experimental and analytical examinations examines the cost dif-ferences between the integral and non-integral bridge of the same length and height using ana-lytical and experimental investigations. Modelling, analysis, design, detailing and costing of 15m,20m, 22.5m and 25m single span reinforced concrete girder integral bridge and 15m,20m, 22.5m and 25m single span reinforced concrete girder non integral bridge were done. The ex-perimental program included six reinforced concrete bridge models three integral bridge mod-els; namely, a) 1000mm length, 600mm high and 95mm thick b)1250mm length,600mm high and 105mm thick c) 1500mm length,600mm high and 120mm thick and three additional non-integral bridge model of the same sizes and reinforcements. Analytical examinations were made for six integral bridges and six non-integral bridges for verifications. The experimental results reveals that the MIDS CIVIL finite element software is in agreement with the results obtained within +/-10% and recommended to be used in the design. The priced bill of quantities based on the design reveals that the decrease of cost by 19.1% to 20.0% for integral bridge as compared to non-integral bridges with the same length and height. The article recommends that planners and engineers embrace integral design and construction by reviewing the road design handbook, which specifies that integral design must take precedence over non-integral concepts tosave costs.

Robert Rukwaro

Editor-in-Chief

African Habitat Review

Faculty of the Built Environment and Design

University of Nairobi

Tel: +254-2729700

E-mail address: sobe.ahrjournal@gmail.com

rukwaro@uonbi.ac.ke

Deployment of Minimum Standard Strictures in the Kenya Building Regulations:

Kigara Kamweru, Arch., Owiti Abiero K’Akumu, Prof., Robert Rukwaro, Prof. — Wed, 15 May 2024 12:43:46 +0000

The control of development in urban areas raises a tension between the protection of the common good and the need to protect the space for individual action and for innovation. The imposition of minimum standards in the regulation process compels the builders, and by extension the broader society, to commit resources to attain them. In a free society, this would require an anchoring justification that demonstrates public good over individual concerns. This paper examines how the strictures has been reflected in the Kenyan building code and relates it to the fundamental philosophy underlying the code. It concludes that the institution of minimum standards in the building regulations is a protective act. It protects the society and is a critical measure in preventing the vagaries associated with uncoordinated individual actions.

A Framework for Enhancing Quality Assurance Practices of Building Contractors

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:21:10 +0000

The quality of building construction projects in Kenya has been a challenge throughout recent years. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which contractors apply quality assurance practices and thereafter develop a framework to enhance quality assurance practices of building contractors in Kenya. Ten quality assurance practices were identified from literature review and their importance ranked by respondents through a questionnaire survey. The level and frequency of application of the practices was assessed using relative importance index. The most important practices were process control, management responsibility and, inspection and testing. The least ranked were internal quality audits, and control of inspection, measuring and test equipment. The most frequently applied practices were process control, inspection and testing, and purchase control. The least frequently applied practices were training, internal quality audits, and control of equipment. The findings of this study provide a tool for enhancing quality assurance practices of building contractors through the use of ISO 9001 standards and Force Field Analysis.

Performance Based Routine Maintenance Contracting for Low Volume Sealed Roads

Paul G. Macharia, Mr., Simpson Nyambane Osano, Dr., Sixtus Kinyua Mwea, Prof. — Wed, 15 May 2024 13:45:45 +0000

Performance-based contracts are substitute to the conventional contracts used in the procurement of road maintenance, whereby the main emphasis is not only on contract management and maintenance, but also on all happenings associated with the management and evaluation of the road section under contract. The performance-based contractor is wholly accountable for the works required to achieve the obligatory service levels, durability and performance of the road over the contract period. The Roads 2000 Strategy (R2000) was conceptualized and implemented in central Kenya. The completed projects were required to be subjected to timely and continuous maintenance. In addition, the projects under phase two of the program incorporated three-year performance contracts for maintenance, that were to kickstart upon the completion of the construction phases. This study was aimed at evaluating the level and extent of maintenance planning and implementation on improved projects, and also the effectiveness of the embedded performance-based maintenance contracts in ensuring that prioritisation for maintenance was enhanced, and that acceptable service levels were maintained during the period the contracts were in effect, and drawing the lessons learnt. An overall assessment of the investment in maintenance of completed projects under the Roads 2000 program was carried out, from the time the initial projects were handed over for maintenance, up until when the phase two projects were completed and handed over. Correlation was drawn between the previous efforts in maintenance prior to introduction of performance-based maintenance contracting, and thereafter. It was observed that performance-based contracts had an overall effect of increasing the road lengths that were maintained, and also led to an increase on the level of prioritisation for maintenance. There was an observed increase on the budgetary allocation per unit length of road per year with the introduction of performance based routine maintenance. However, monitoring of set service levels was observed to be still an area that needed to be improved during the management of performance-based contracts.

Mainstreaming Participatory Approaches in Slum Upgrading Programmes:

George K. Nyamu, Mr., Luke M. Obala, Dr. — Wed, 15 May 2024 14:11:48 +0000

This paper set out to the highlight the relationship between effective stakeholder engagement and/or participatory approaches on sustainability of slum upgrading using Soweto East in Kibera. Data was obtained largely through a review of reports and literature. The results of the study indicated that there was low level of participation by the affected residents and other stakeholders. This led to mistrusts and misconceptions and consequently poor design and mixed results on the overall project success. It thus concluded that there is need for robust community engagement especially in slum upgrading; ensuring that slum upgrading projects integrate livelihood and beneficiary economic activities for inclusive and sustainable development. In addition, the paper proposed that engagement processes should be based on genuine collaboration to foster trust and desire for success between the various stakeholders.

Impact of Institutional Frameworks on Safety and Health in Construction Sites:

Thu, 16 May 2024 11:32:05 +0000

In Kenya, the enforcement of safety and health regulations at construction sites presents a significant challenge. As a pivotal sector for the nation's economic growth, construction not only generates employment and drives infrastructure advancements, but also inevitably brings increased safety and health risks. Despite governmental efforts to strengthen safety and health standards in Kenyan construction sites, accidents continue, resulting in injuries and fatalities. This study examines the effectiveness of regulatory institutions in enforcing compliance with safety and health practices on Kenyan construction sites. Prior evidence, largely anecdotal, indicated suboptimal performance by these institutions, a claim yet to be substantiated empirically. Therefore, this research sought to provide empirical validation. The study surveyed 896 registered construction sites in Nairobi. A random sample of 210 sites were chosen using simple random and convenience sampling for comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analyses. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires and observation checklists, with a response rate of 78.4%. Findings indicate that regulatory institutions significantly influence adherence to safety and health practices, albeit with a compliance rate of only 62%. It is concluded that safety and health regulation compliance at Kenyan construction sites is inadequate. Inefficiencies within regulatory bodies are identified as a key factor in this shortfall. The study advocates for a policy overhaul by these institutions to more closely align with and effectively address the present safety and health realities in Kenya’s construction sector.

Evaluation of Roads 2000 Program in Kenya

Paul G. Macharia, Mr., Simpson Nyambane Osano, Dr., Sixtus Kinyua Mwea, Prof. — Thu, 16 May 2024 11:54:35 +0000

The low volume approach of road improvement guarantees optimum utilization of locally available resources where technically and economically feasible. Low volume roads in Kenya are distributed in rural and peri-urban networks and low-population areas, and are under the jurisdiction of local road authorities and county governments, who have funding constraints, and therefore optimal serviceability on the roads is not well maintained. This study was aimed at investigating the maintenance levels on low volume sealed roads, and come up with recommendations to be adopted on the current and similar problems in the future. Performance assessment was undertaken by carrying out surface condition surveys on sampled roads under the Roads 2000 program. It was determined that the priority for maintenance of completed low volume roads was normally affected by the surrounding poor network, and therefore, adequate maintenance was not routine. Review of performance of the low volume roads showed that whereas the improved roads were having great impact on the recipient populace, the lack of adequate maintenance was in most cases leading to early failure of the completed roads, and inadequate drainage was a leading factor in the uncontrolled deterioration of these roads. The study noted low serviceability index of below 2.5 on some roads, noting that rehabilitation was required, and timely corrective work was required on all roads. With proper and all-round conditional assessments, followed by timely, suitable and efficient maintenance regimes, the roads were expected to meet their design lives and continue serving the population in these regions.

Cost and Load Effect Comparisons Between Reinforced Concrete Integral and Non-Integral Bridge Using Experimental and Analytical Examinations

Simpson Nyambane Osano, Dr., Mellese Yimam, Eng., Silvester Abuodha, Prof. — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bridges without joints or bearings are referred to as "integral bridges," while bridges with joints and expansion joints are referred to as "non integral bridges. This study aims to examine the cost differences between the integral and non-integral bridge of the same length and height using analytical and experimental investigations. Modelling, analysis, design, detailing and costing of 15m,20m, 22.5m and 25m single span reinforced concrete girder integral bridge and 15m,20m, 22.5m and 25m single span reinforced concrete girder non integral bridge were done. The experimental program included six reinforced concrete bridge models three integral bridge models; namely, a) 1000mm length, 600mm high and 95mm thick b)1250mm length,600mm high and 105mm thick c) 1500mm length,600mm high and 120mm thick and three additional non-integral bridge model of the same sizes and reinforcements. Analytical examinations were made for six integral bridges and six non-integral bridges for verifications. The experimental results reveals that the MIDS CIVIL finite element software is in agreement with the results obtained within +/-10% and recommended to be used in the design. The priced bill of quantities based on the design reveals that the decrease of cost by 19.1% to 20.0% for integral bridge as compared to non-integral bridges with the same length and height. It is recommended that planners and engineers embrace integral design and construction by reviewing the road design handbook, which specifies that integral design must take precedence over non-integral concepts to save costs.

Analyzing Challenges Impacting the Performance of Serviced Offices in Nairobi County, Kenya

Erastus K. Museleku, Dr., Beatrice W. Kirathe, Ms. — Wed, 29 May 2024 08:03:30 +0000

Recent economic shifts have transformed property management, intensifying competition in the office space sector, particularly with the emergence of serviced offices. These spaces offer flexibility and convenience compared to traditional leases, attracting many businesses. However, they face hurdles such as competition from conventional offices, short-term contracts, and economic instability. This paper focuses on understanding these challenges to enhance property management strategies. Through a descriptive research design targeting 24 serviced offices in Westlands, Nairobi County, the study identified significant obstacles, including government policies, economic conditions, billing strategies, and infrastructure deficiencies. Recommendations include creating a more favourable regulatory environment with tax incentives, improving electricity supply reliability, and implementing robust management systems to address billing and occupancy uncertainties.

To Assess the Impact of COVID -19 in the Delivery of Professional Courses in the Faculty of Built Environment and Design:

Irene Nyokabi Wamuyu, Ms., Dennis Mbugua Muthama, Mr. — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:31:27 +0000

Covid-19 has impacted on various sectors differently. In the education sector the impact has been largely one of interruption to the education calendar and learning delivery methods. There is much written about the effects of Covid-19 on learners at the different levels of instruction, higher education included. There is however little documentation about the pandemic effects on higher education instructors more so instructors within the realm of the professional courses. Using qualitative research methods, the study analysed 20 questionnaires administered to instructors in the School of the Built Environment (FBED), University of Nairobi (UoN). The key finding indicates that the covid-19 has changed the way the instructors deliver their courses and undertake students’ supervision. The paper recommends need for continuous improvement in the delivery of technical courses through incremental adoption of emerging technologies in the learning space.