Tatu City, the first holistic lifestyle city planned in Africa, has been launched in Kenya, heralding the development of a world-class, mixed-use residential complex for 62,000 people in Greater Nairobi, the economic hub of East Africa.
Tatu City is a planned, nodal development focused on the work-live-play concept, providing a comprehensive mix of land uses to cater for all needs of residents and visitors. It will include residential developments, retail, commercial, tourism, social facilities and recreation for the 62,000 residents and 23,000 day visitors.
The investors in the project, Tatu City Ltd. and Renaissance Partners, announced the 1,000-hectare, multi-billion dollar project will be completed in 10 phases over a period of eight to ten years, with the first residents and businesses taking occupancy in 2012. Renaissance Partners is the principal investing arm of Renaissance Group, an independent group of unified finance, investment and management companies specialising in creating value in high-opportunity emerging markets.
Stephen Jennings, Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Group, said, “Tatu City is not only a city of the future, it is a demonstration of the positive investment climate in Kenya and across Africa. Renaissance is pleased to partner in a project setting the standard for innovative land development in Africa.”
Like other rapidly developing cities in Africa, the existing pressures within Nairobi and the demands for the growing population in the capital city offer a unique situation to provide alternatives for the population in regards to housing and employment that ensures the most comprehensive and effective community is created.
Apart from provision of modern residential and commercial facilities, Tatu City will create employment opportunities and thousands of jobs through construction, the integration of large Research and Development complexes and more conventional tourism and destination points.
According to Arnold Meyer, Head of Real Estate for Renaissance Partners, “There is a need for the development of new cities which promote the principles of walk ability and de-emphasize the use of automobiles. The foundation of the Tatu City plan is based on a mix of land uses which essentially create small village type communities supported by a range of housing. More importantly, the design was guided by the principles of feasibility, functionality, sustainability and desirability.”
Key data:
1.Tatu City will be completed in 10 phases, some of which could be developed simultaneously as demand requires.
2.Ecologically, Tatu City complies with best practice planning and demonstrates respect for the region’s natural environment. The starting point of the entire development concept is the environment, with over 30% of the land is set aside for natural green belts. A further 15% has been earmarked for world-class infrastructure development. By committing to this, Tatu City will become the first such sustainable development in East and Central Africa.
3.Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the largest and busiest in East and Central Africa. When completed, the Eastern bypass highway will link the airport to Tatu City.
4.Tatu City will be a key point of reference for similar developments in the region on how to encompass world-class urban design principles to ensure optimal use of land and the creation of modern, expertly planned cities.
5.The development is in line with the Nairobi authority’s planned creation of decentralized development areas to alleviate the congestion within the city and conforms to Nairobi Metropolitan Region’s (NMR) 2030 Vision.
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