Investigating habitation of public open spaces in the city of Kisumu - case study of Jomo Kenyatta sports ground

Abstract

Design of urban open spaces needs insight into the needs of the users. Public open spaces in the city of Kisumu are not well documented forcing whoever is searching for information on these spaces to rely on resource persons and informants at various city management departments. Interventions on public spaces in a case like this one: where information is lacking is then depends literature from elsewhere. With this in mind, the study was undertaken with the aim of investigating the state of public open spaces in the city of Kisumu with Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground as the case study. The aim was to gain insight into needs of public open space user in Kisumu city. The findings of the study were then used to propose a model for urban open space design for the Kisumu. The study applied case study method. Information was obtained using field observation and a social survey that entailed interviewing users of this park on how they used the space and their perception of various elements found in the park. The findings of the study revealed that the climate, provision of various physical facilities such as vegetation, sports facilities and furniture influence if and how people use the park. Based on this findings recommendations were made to adopt climatically suited strategies in designing and planning urban open in Kisumu city while addressing the specific local populace’s open space needs.