The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has unveiled ambitious plans to develop a 1,000-acre smart city in Mavoko, Machakos County, in a project expected to combine housing, business, industry and hospitality facilities within one integrated urban centre.
The proposed development, located near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), is aimed at creating a modern mixed-use city where residents can conveniently access essential services, workplaces and social amenities without travelling long distances.
According to a tender document, NSSF has invited firms to submit proposals for the preparation of a feasibility study, a comprehensive master plan, infrastructure development and implementation of the project’s pilot phase.
“The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) invites sealed bids from interested tenderers for the Request for Proposals for the development of a feasibility study, master plan, infrastructure and pilot-phase development for the proposed NSSF Mavoko City in Mavoko, Machakos County through an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing Contract,” part of the tender notice reads.
The planned city will follow the emerging trend of the “15-minute city” model, where individuals will have access to the necessary amenities in their immediate environment, minimizing travel time and lessening the burden of transport systems.
Aside from housing units, the city will feature other sectors like commerce, industry, tourism and specialized warehouses. The final design of the city will depend on feasibility studies conducted by the respective organizations in charge of the environment and construction sector.
Sustainability is another aspect that has been prioritized in the city. This means that there will be incorporation of sustainable building designs and technologies in order to ensure that the city reduces its environmental footprint in the long run.
The design further aims to promote inclusiveness through the provision of infrastructure and public space that caters to the requirements of children, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
According to NSSF, Mavoko has been chosen for the project owing to its strategic location near Nairobi and increased connectivity to important economic centers. Furthermore, it has access to major infrastructure including JKIA and Konza Smart City which makes the region an ideal candidate for large-scale mixed-use developments.
Instead of developing the whole region at once, the project will be started on a pilot basis and other parts of the city will be developed subsequently depending on the demands and infrastructure required.
NSSF has floated a tender for the engineering, procurement, construction, and financing of the project. Firms interested in undertaking the job have been given until July 17 to submit their proposals.
This city project comes at a time when the Kenyan government is also seeking to modernize JKIA in order to develop the area into an international airport through a 36-month project worth Ksh154.2 billion and to be carried out by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Upon completion, Mavoko development will become part of the big urban developments like Konza Smart City and Tatu City that are meant to revolutionize the manner in which we live in urban areas and foster economic development in the country.