Transformative Adaptation in Informal Settlements: The Case of Kounkuey Design Initiative in Kibera, Nairobi

This study assesses the scope for transformative adaptation in Kibera informal settlement, Nairobi. Adaptation discourse theories and Pelling et al’s (2015) ‘adaptation activity space’ framework provide the conceptual context within which this study aims to assess the transformative impact of adaptation strategies adopted by Kibera’s residents and community groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Government of Kenya, and other organisations and institutions operating in the settlement. The qualitative methodology adopted in this study targets the work of Kounkuey Design Initiative, an NGO that partners and collaborates with impoverished residents in Kibera to design and implement participatory projects. The findings of this dissertation are that, while incremental adjustments dominated adaptation strategies in Kibera, local and small-scale transformations were found within and between all components of the ‘adaptation activity space’ framework, and require increased and improved stakeholder engagement, coordination and collaboration in order to increase the scale of impact towards transformational adaptation.