Bridging the Divide Between Problem and Solution: A Design Approach to Housing Production in Nairobi

With the understanding of design as a well‐suited approach to dealing with intractable problems, this paper seeks to appraise the phenomenon of housing transformation in Nairobi, Kenya, as the most dominant form of housing production in the city. It reflects on possible ways in which design can bridge the gap between problem and solution; both in terms of defining and understanding the problem and shaping a solution that takes into consideration a multitude of perspectives. Through interview findings and field observations, the paper discusses the actors involved in the rapid transformation of formal housing, in the city, from low‐rise bungalows to high‐rise apartments, showing how their actions are a manifestation of silo thinking leading to negative externalities. It concludes with reflections on how design can act as a bridge between competing interests through clearer understanding of complex problems and the generation of appropriate solutions that are informed by multiple perspectives.