Episode 26: How the Just Cities Project is Using 3D Modeling to Co-Design Smart Cities in Kenya | Titus Kaloki

What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people.

In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning.

Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in the KMC informal settlement in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software.

Join us as we dive into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved.

Key insights from the episode include:

The core principles of Smart Cities and how to make sure they remain inclusive and just
The foundational elements of Just Cities and the opportunities and challenges of making them a reality
How to use technology like U_CODE to enhance citizen participation and engagement in urban planning
Insights and advice on applying these principles and technologies in other urban contexts

Guest: Titus Kaloki

Titus Kaloki is a social justice champion with a keen focus on realizing just urbanization. He currently leads the Just Cities & Politics department at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kenya office and has experience in enabling urban actors resolve challenges to provision and access to public goods and services in urban areas. He loves reading, travelling, community service and having a good laugh with friends!

Learn more: LinkedIn

Timestamps

00:00 — Can Informal Settlements Use Smart City Technology?
00:35 — What Comes to Mind When You Hear “Smart City”?
02:07 — Introducing Titus Kaloki & the Just Cities Project
04:10 — Public Participation & the Meaning of a Just City
05:25 — Smart Cities in Africa: Promise vs. Reality
06:58 — The Three Core Principles of Smart Cities
09:15 — The Four Principles of a Just City
14:07 — What Is UCODE? How 3D modeling and co-design are transforming urban planning in Nakuru City
17:45 — 85% Participation in an Informal Settlement
19:26 — Why UCODE Works Differently
24:08 — Setting Realistic Expectations in Community Engagement
27:00 — What Residents Actually Prioritized
29:15 — From Participation to Public Investment How Nakuru City adopted and funded community priorities.
31:27 — Main Challenges Behind the Project
35:25 — Capacity Building & Civic Agency: Teaching residents urban planning, participation, and advocacy.
36:29 — Breaking the Myth That Low-Income Communities Can’t Use Technology: Why the project exceeded participation rates seen in Europe and Asia.
38:05 — Titus’ 3 Lessons for Building Smart & Just Cities: Why process matters more than flashy technology.
40:58 — The Importance of Political Will: Why progressive local governments are essential to implementation.
43:29 — Learning + Politics: Why urban planning and politics are inseparable.
45:06 — How to Build Meaningful Public Participation
47:56 — How to Convince Governments to Try New Approaches
50:30 — How to Access UCODE
52:06 — What’s Next for the Just Cities Initiative?
54:07 — How to Get Involved
56:04 — Final Reflections on Smart & Just Cities
56:41 — Upcoming Episodes: Akon City & Botswana’s Innovation Ecosystem

Key Concepts

Smart cities
Just cities
Public participation
Community-led planning
Urban informality
3D modeling

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.

Support

Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

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