Water availability in Kenya is challenged by climate change, urbanization, and inefficient water management, which results in flood risk, water pollution and groundwater depletion. The Nakuru “sponge city” concept promotes greening and local water storage in order to retain, reuse, and infiltrate water.

NAWASSCO (Nakuru Water And Sanitation Services) as a pilot project, now transforms their parking into a ‘Sponge Garden’. In the design different measures are combined to improve water storage, cool the garden and improve the spatial quality. The design is based on nature-based solutions that capture and infiltrate or store the rainwater. Only in extreme rainwater events the surplus water is drained towards the street drain. Next to the water storages, a vegetated pergola for the “Tea Garden,” serves as a space for outdoor meetings and gatherings. The Nakuru pilot will be an example for residents, developers and organizations to create awareness .

Client: Water as Leverage (RVO), VEI,  NAWASSCO