As part of creating the vision for Nairobi Railway City Masterplan, AtkinsRealis have designed a world class Central Railway Station, Boma Park and Railway Square. The holistic design approach will help to address the climatic challenges the city faces, initiate urban regeneration and re-connect people and nature with the urban fabric of the city.
Context
Nairobi was established in 1899 from the establishment of the rail network running from Uganda through to the port of Mombassa. Now the capital of Kenya the city includes a National Park within the city borders, a colonial established grid structured CBD and a sprawling urban expansion of vibrant districts with street markets and commercial spaces to the east.
Nairobi Central Station (NCS) is currently an under utilised station with a large adjoining 4.7ha brown field site. The site sits at the crossroads of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue that separate the CBD to the west from the vibrant districts to the east. The train line severs pedestrian connection between the city centre in the north and the residential districts on the southern side of the city.
Nairobi has a population of over 4 million people and encounters many environmental, social and economic urban challenges including:
- Water management with flash flooding in the winter and drought conditions in the summer.
- Restrictions on access to water.
- High volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Lack of access to public and amenity space within the city.
- Public safety and security issues.
- Limited access to public facilities and public transportation.
The upgrade to NCS offers the opportunity to reconnect the different districts across the city, to act as a catalyst for regeneration and to provide a gateway for businesses into the capital of Kenya and East Africa.
Catalyst for Change
AtkinsRealis have completed the RIBA design stages 2 and 3 for the Station building, Boma Park, Railway Square and People’s Walk. The station has been designed to accommodate a peak of 30,000 passengers per hour. We have been delighted to see this project evolve and excited to see the changes it could bring to the city to address the environmental, economic and social challenges it faces. Nairobi Central Station is a catalyst for change in the city.
The proposed iconic city-centre station building draws inspiration from the past to inform an exciting new future for Nairobi. The mixed use development will be an exemplar of Transit Orientated Development that provides access to all user groups. The project is of strategic importance to Nairobi and Kenya as a gateway to East Africa and to enable the upgrade of the wider rail network. The civic importance of the station is amplified by the new Station Public realm, providing amenity, landscape and respite for the city as well as a meeting place for travellers and visitors.
‘Boma’ – A Place for People and Nature
Our overarching concept was to create a ‘Boma’ – a traditional place within Africa for meetings and coming together as a community. NCS creates an open place for the people of Nairobi to come together.
Iconic Architecture and Sense of Place
The innovative design of the station creates a landmark for the city with a large free flowing roof structure protecting people against the extreme weather conditions of high rainfall and heat. The station also functions as a rainfall collector to help serve the city during times of both flooding and drought.
Boma Park – Serving the City
The Boma Park to the front of the station helps to knit the urban fabric of the city together by providing one of the few free to use open green spaces within the city. The park provides a multitude of amenity features and facilities open to all user groups.
Railway Square – Culture and Heritage
This civic square acts as the arrival point into the city, reflecting Nairobi’s railway heritage. Railway Square is a transport interchange connecting the station with the bus transit, cycle hub, and taxis. The active edges of the square overlook a flexible space for seasonal events throughout the year.
People’s Walk – Connecting the City
Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue sit at the literal crossroads of the city. The people’s Walk provides a direct connection from the station to the CBD and eastern districts.
NCS has been designed to support the social and environmental challenges of Nairobi. There is a full sustainability strategy that can be shared.
Climate Resilient Design Approach
Microclimate analysis has been used to guide the design, shading, shelter, and water management of the area. A central oculus in the roof of the station helps regulate passive heating and cooling.
Biodiversity is a key aspect of the project, with various trees representing all of the Kenyan tribes included in the design. The planting mixes are designed to reflect seasonal changes and provide color throughout the year, supporting an active wildlife ecosystem within the city during both dry and wet seasons.
Water Management
The roof structure of the station collects rainwater, which is stored in large tanks with a capacity of 1,500 cubic meters. This rainwater collection system helps alleviate flooding during the winter months. The stored water is then utilized for irrigation of Boma Park, Railway Square, and People’s Walk during the dry season.
Boma Park is designed to manage excess water during flash floods, capable of handling events that occur once in a hundred years. Additionally, a network of rain gardens, bio-swales, and terracing has been created to effectively manage rainfall. Moreover, grey water is recycled and reused within the station.
Catalyst for Change
The station and public spaces are designed to be inclusive for all user groups. The development of the station will facilitate upgrades to the broader Kenyan railway network and generate new business opportunities for the city. Boma Park, Railway Square, and People’s Walk will integrate the urban landscape, fostering connections with the Central Business District (CBD), the eastern districts, and enhancing access across the railway line to the south.
Community Engagement
AtkinsRealis engaged with community groups through the evolution of the design. A structured programme of workshops, presentations and engagement was carried out with a diverse representation of community groups. These included ex mayors, local architects, street traders, community groups and local residents. The sessions were held online and in person. We also engaged with a broad representation from across Kenya Rail’s client team, the local planning authorities and government agencies.
As part of our approach to the project AtkinsRealis worked with Howard Humphrey’s who are based in Nairobi. This helped to facilitate the engagement with local authorities, key stakeholders and community groups.
This has been a fantastic project to work on and AtkinsRealis are excited about seeing the change the revitalised station can bring through:
- The iconic architecture creating a world class interchange for Nairobi;
- By the park and square becoming the beating green heart of the city;
- And through the celebration of the rich heritage of Nairobi creating the connection into the city.
- And most of all about realising the concept of the boma as a meeting place for Nairobi and east Africa.
Nairobi Central Station
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Design team:
Design Lead: AtkinsRealis
Design and Engineering Support: Howard Humphrey’s
Quantity Surveyor: Mace
Client: Kenya Railway Company
Image Credits: AtkinsRealis