INTRODUCTION
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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background WS Atkins International Limited was commissioned to develop the Urban Economic Plan for Malindi Municipality as part of the UK’s Department for International Development Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme (SUED). The aim of the programme is to support urban and market driven growth in emerging towns and cities in Kenya. Supporting these smaller centres provides an environment to create economic opportunities and job creation in a way that balances growth across the country, develops economic sectors that can contribute towards increasing the national output and provide an incentive for minimising uncontrolled migration. In order to enable the above, the programme will identify climate resilient infrastructure development that responds to the town’s urbanisation pressures and needs.
Provides an inclusive economic strategy that can guide future development towards increasing prosperity in Malindi;
Prioritises economic activities and climate resilient infrastructure that can maximise benefits and support the development of a sustainable economic future of Malindi and introduce international best practice and innovation;
Brings together stakeholders on deciding the economic future of Malindi and implementing it; and
1.2. Purpose of the plan Combining local knowledge and international expertise, the Malindi Urban Economic Plan:
Identifies and prepares value chain projects that can be considered further in terms of their feasibility and bankability before SUED seed financing is committed.
The UEP is an advisory document that builds on existing work and priorities identified under the CIDP and ISUDP, as well as complementing work done by donors and development agencies. In doing so, it will provide a focused infrastructure development and economic strategy for the Municipal Board and Municipal Departments to enable them to deliver sustainable urban and economic development within the Municipality.
1.3. Approach The approach and methodology have been developed in response to the DFID terms of reference and in consultation with the SUED Team and DFID and has been tailored to consider local conditions in Malindi. The aim was to allow a collaborative approach between different stakeholders and the consultant team to assess Malindi’s economy in a systematic way, develop an agreed economic vision and prioritise actions that will have maximum impact and are ready to attract donor co-financing. The preparation of the UEP comprised four main phases:
› Phase 1 - Inception Phase which focused on the Kick off Meeting. The aim was to present the approach of the UEP and capture key opportunities and challenges affecting urban development and economic growth in Malindi as defined by local stakeholders; › Phase 2 - The Diagnostics Phase was developed to provide a comprehensive and wide-ranging assessment of Malindi’s economy, demographics, infrastructure, environment and climate change risk profile against a local, national and international context; › Phase 3 - The UEP Technical Briefing Paper identified, assessed and prioritised economic growth opportunities and infrastructure needs and their respective requirements; › Phase 4 - Development of the Final UEP which sets out in detail economic opportunities and actions and prioritises climate resilient infrastructure projects for implementation. It should be noted that this report is founded on the culmination of the preceding studies and phases which are all appendices to this report.
