Dr. Ndiame noted that the lecture aimed at introducing students across built environment disciplines to the concept and relevance of social safeguards; Demonstrating how social safeguards apply across the design, planning, and implementation of development projects; Draw on practical experiences from initiatives such as infrastructure development, informal settlement upgrading, and urban interventions; and Creating a platform for dialogue between students, faculty, practitioners, and communities and Strengthening the linkage between academic learning, professional practice, and community realities within built environment education.
Musyimi Mbaathi, a Professor of Urban Planning noted that the emerging urban pressures is increasingly associated with infrastructure deficits, informality, congestion, environmental stress and climate vulnerability.
He therefore advised that planning should shift from evictions, exclusion, demolition and focus on centered responses towards upgrading, integration, participation and inclusive service delivery
Other topics that were addressed included; Social safeguards in the built environment; exploring the role of social safeguards in infrastructure development, planning, housing and urban transformation, including issues of displacement, participation, livelihoods and inclusion.
The event was sponsored by; Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), PASGR, and Pamoja Trust.