EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Urban Economic Plan (UEP) is an advisory document that builds on existing work and priorities identified under the County Investment Development Plan (CIDP), the Capital Investment Plan (CIP), as well as aligning and complementing work done by other donors and organisations. In doing so, it will provide a focused urban and economic development strategy for the Municipal Board and Departments to deliver balanced and sustainable growth for Isiolo. The purpose of the plan is therefore to: › provide an inclusive urban and economic growth strategy that can guide future development towards increasing prosperity in Isiolo; › prioritise economic activities and climate resilient infrastructure that can maximise benefits and support the development of a sustainable economic future of Isiolo;
Stakeholders’ interests and insights have been considered throughout the development of the Isiolo UEP. Section 2 of this document sets out the Diagnostic Assessment of Isiolo, where the social, economic, infrastructure and environmental baseline has provided an understanding of the barriers and drivers to sustainable economic growth. The Social Inclusion Study was a key part of the diagnostic, providing recommendations for meeting the aims of the SUED programme - to advance inclusion of PWDs, women and youth - as well as other identified groups who are currently excluded. The prioritised projects will embed recommendations for overcoming communication, physical, attitudinal and organisational barriers to inclusion. The diagnostic identified three Key Sectors that Isiolo should prioritise for infrastructure development and Value Chain opportunities, as:
› bring together stakeholders on deciding the economic future and growth trajectory of Isiolo and implementing it; and;
› Retail and Trade
› identify and prepare value chain projects that can be considered further in terms of their feasibility and bankability before SUED seed financing is committed.
Critical for the development of the economy, through these key sectors, will be the improvement of the infrastructure particularly in regard to water management solutions to reduce flooding and improve water provision. The water management
› Agriculture including Livestock › Tourism
solutions proposed are integrated with the wider sector proposals and value chain opportunities. Isiolo Town has experienced rapid population growth along the A2 and urban sprawl which has placed enormous pressure on natural and environmental resources and urban infrastructure. The poor availability of infrastructure and resources needed for sustenance and economic activities,along with a lack of land rights has resulted in a high level of conflict throughout the culturally diverse county. This threatens the economic growth, productivity and quality of life in Isiolo. The cost of electricity is high and unreliable, where the use of more sustainable and efficient energy sources, including solar and bio fuels, can drive industrial opportunities and support population growth. Environmental and climate change threats exist, which will increase pressure on ecosystems, potentially worsen water scarcity and raise environmental degradation risks for soil, rivers, water supply, air quality and forested land. Furthermore, increased drought and flooding frequency may greatly impact agricultural yields and town production processes. Addressing these challenges can enable the Town to establish itself as an effective multifunctioning centre, and lay foundations for sustainable economic growth.
Section 3 presents the Urban Economic Development Plan. This is driven by the economic vision that has been developed for Isiolo:
“Develop Isiolo as a Center of excellence and a major economic hub in Kenya with resilient and inclusive growth through the responsible use of it’s natural resources”. This vision is underlined with objectives to: › Ensure resilient and resource efficient urban and economic growth; › Create an attractive and vibrant business environment; › Develop an enabling and responsive Municipal organisation; › Promote opportunities for all members of the community. Action Plans have been developed for each of the key sectors, across: › Best Practice for Value Addition › Market Access and Development › Financial Security and Opportunity › Land Management and Rights › Water Infrastructure › Establish Modern Market
