Rebuilding Paradise in the Anthropocene
from a drainage to a sponge region
X. He (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
N.M.J.D. Tillie – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
H. Sohn – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
Nakuru, situated in the East African Rift Valley, is a rapidly growing city nestled between the Menegai Crater volcano and Lake Nakuru. The fertile yet loose volcanic soil as a result of past eruptions, is supporting agriculture, while Lake Nakuru sustains diverse wildlife, including its famous flamingos by the algae in the lake ,with the lake historically supporting over one million birds at a time as recently as 2000（Byrne, Aidan, et al. 2024）. However, accelerated urban development has resulted in land sealing, deforestation, soil erosion, and ecological degradation—causing a dramatic decline in flamingo populations to just 6,000 by 2021 (Byrne, Aidan, et al., 2024).
The rapid expansion of the city has disrupted the hydrological balance of Lake Nakuru, leading to frequent flooding, increased surface runoff, siltation, and deteriorating water quality (Water as Leverage Nakuru – Setting the Scene, DeFacto, 2024). Compounding the issue, demand for freshwater is expected to rise by approximately 500% (Acacia Water, 2019).
This thesis argues that a spatial strategy integrating water management and urban agriculture, based on nature-based solutions (NbS), can contribute to a more sustainable future for Nakuru. Focusing on the peri-urban area, which holds significant potential for rapid urbanization, the research explores how seasonal streams and rainwater can be effectively utilized within communities and agricultural zones to support more resilient urban development. Rather than allowing rainwater to flow directly into Lake Nakuru which will result in rising lake levels, rain water storage can help address water shortages during the dry season. Based on the analysis of soil types, wetland agriculture and agroforestry can be applied as new approaches to support reforestation and increase income. Guided by principles of resilient design, this project aims to establish a new balance between rapid urban growth and the preservation of a diverse natural environment.