1 minute read
Figure 3.5 Lamu Island - key places
It is important that any interventions and projects implemented are carefully designed and managed in order to avoid any negative impacts on the environment and the local community such as the unrestrained movement of tourists. Good design parameters developed in collaboration with local residents should ensure an authentic experience for visitors while protecting culture, heritage and local livelihoods. Each of these projects are funded on safeguarding the existing community and local resources and, aim to enable the creation of economic opportunities in line with the wider tourism development trends. These projects are further developed in section 4.4.
Figure 3.5 Lamu Island - key places
Source: Atkins
Future growth towards Mokowe
The spatial strategy focuses future urban growth stimulated by the LAPSSET programme (primarily industrial, logistic and trade) around Mokowe whilst less intense growth and more sensitive transformations are considered for the islands. The latter is clearly aimed at restoring and safeguarding the delicate balance between economic development, nature and heritage.
Future growth should therefore be focused around Mokowe by enabling and attracting economic growth and infrastructure investment and leverage off the town’s proximity in providing the key link to Lamu Town and the Islands and having close connectivity with the future fully-operational LAPSSET node.
It is also essential to strengthen road and sea links with surrounding agricultural areas and centres such as Mpeketoni, and Witu further south, as well as fishing activities and landing sites elsewhere on the islands and along the coast. The two proposed aggregation models will support the development and use of these linkages (further described in sections 3.5.3, 4.2.3, 4.3.3).
According to the Lamu Investment Framework for the LAPSSET corridor programme20, the development of the Lamu node is anticipated to generate a population of approximately 1.1 million when complete in 2040, whilst creating up to 425,000 jobs. It is also anticipated that a large proportion of the future population will be migrants, attracted by the employment opportunities and facilities that LAPSSET is expected to deliver.
LAPSSET development will have significant impacts on the existing and future local population. This future urban growth will need to be properly managed and accommodated on the mainland, as only a very limited amount of growth will be possible on Lamu Island and the other islands.
20 Atkins Acuity, Lamu Port City Agreed Investment Framework (2017).
