The Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Management in Kenyatta University was launched in February 2016 at a time when member states in September 2015, at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, adopted the New Development Agenda, Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, Goal 11 seeks to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Kenya adopted a new constitution in 2010 whose one of the major gains was devolution to the county governments with autonomy in implementation of distinct functions.

In line with this goal, the 2010 constitution and Vision 2030, the department aims to train planners who are well grounded in both theoretical and empirical analysis of planning approaches and processes as well as resulting forms and functions in the face of globalization. This will ensure that Kenyan cities are adequately planned to ensure sustainable urbanization.  The department of spatial planning and Urban Management seeks to develop innovative academic programmes and research in the following areas:

$1· Develop specialized skills in urban/city planning, regional/county planning, infrastructure planning, urban governance and management and urban economic development.

$1· Develop specialized skills in planning and management of urban systems, infrastructure planning, commercial/industrial environmental planning and management, natural resources management, and institutional environmental planning & management.

$1·Develop a strong and dynamic research capacity that will spearhead topical issues in spatial planning and environmental management. Such topical issues will include urban forms and functions, sustainable urban communities, informal settlements, informality of urban economies, urban governance and management, county/planning and governance, infrastructure and service delivery, urbanization and climate change adaptation, innovative environmental planning of urban and economic systems.

Graduates from programs in this department will be employed in both the public and private sector as physical planners, spatial analysts, land-use planners, urban planners, project managers among others in national and county governments. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will find skills of spatial planners crucial for development control to ensure sustainable development. Other opportunities for work exist in private consultancy after professional registration and licensing by the PPRB.