International Partners

CEDEUS Centro de Desarrollo Sustentable 

CEDEUS is a project of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the Universidad de Concepción. These two universities have established a new center for sustainable urban development with funding from their national government. CEDEUS (Centro di Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable) is part of an effort by the National Research Council of Chile to expand both the research and education capabilities of Chilean universities. CSUD is CEDEUS’s principal US collaborator working closely with Columbia’s global center in Santiago. Part of this CEDEUS’s mission is to foster exchanges between students and faculty both in Chile and here in the US.

PROARQ-FAU (2019)

Federal University Rio de Janeiro

The Graduate program in Architecture-School of Architecture and Urbanism has a long history of working with marginal and favela communities in Rio de Janeiro through design and planning studios and publications. They are partnering with CSUD on  Accelerating the SDGs, and are collaborating in the three stages of this project which also includes webinars, knowledge exchanges and co-publications.

Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (Kara)

Nairobi, Kenya

The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (Kara) is the apex body representing the voice and pro-active action of resident associations on consumers and taxpayers’ rights countrywide – on accelerating access to public service delivery.

At an operational level, Kara focuses on the delivery of Kenya’s local authorities as potential engines of the anticipated economic growth and national re-construction in terms of improved service delivery to the residents within their respective jurisdictions (quoted from the Kara website).

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)

Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) is a think tank that strives to provide quality public sector advice to the Government of Kenya and the private sector. By conducting thorough public policy research and engaging in information dissemination and capacity building, KIPPRA aims to assist the government, the private sector and all other stakeholders to reach national development goals. CSUD and KIPPRA established a partnership via a Letter of Intent (signed in 2006) to work together in the exchange of knowledge and data and continue to collaborate on understanding local issues in Nairobi.

Land Development and Governance Institute (LDGI)

Nairobi, Kenya

The Land Development and Governance Institute (LDGI) is a non profit organization registered in the Republic of Kenya. LDGI was incorporated to fill the apparent gap in the land sector between pure advocacy associations and other professional associations charged with the mandate to advance and promote the welfare and service delivery of their professionals in the respective sub-sectoral disciplines.

LDGI is committed to the promotion and advancement of policies, procedures and tools necessary for the equitable access and sustainable management of land and natural resources for improved livelihoods and economic empowerment of citizens (quoted from the LDGI website).

University of Nairobi (UoN)

Nairobi, Kenya

The University of Nairobi, a body corporate established by an Act of Parliament Cap 210 of the Laws of Kenya is the pioneer institution of University education in Kenya and the region.

The only institution of higher learning in Kenya for a long time, the University of Nairobi responded to the national, regional and Africa’s high level manpower training needs by developing and evolving strong, diversified academic programmes and specializations in sciences, applied sciences, technology, humanities, social sciences and the arts. To date, the range of programmes offered number approximately two hundred.

Through module II (continuing education) programmes, invaluable opportunity has been opened to hundreds of Kenyans and non-Kenyans, on a paying basis, who meet university admission requirements, but who have not been able to access university education due to restricted intake into the regular programmes that is determined by limited resource allocation by Government.

In this effort, the location of the seven campuses of the University in the capital city and its environs and facilitating easy access, has been an asset that has seen the university increasingly become the busy hub and citadel of academic activity at all times (quoted from the UoN website).

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies is one of the oldest and largest in all public universities in Kenya. It started as the Department of Geography, Royal Technical College in 1956 but has recently expanded to be the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. The department offers a wide range of academic courses and programmes leading to Diploma, B.A., BSc, B.Ed, M.A., MSc., M.Ed and PhD degrees. The mission of the department is to be a leading centre of excellence in the pursuit of development, dissemination and preservation of knowledge in Geography and Environmental Studies; to be committed to the values of truth, quality and relevance; and to contribute to socio-economic development at national, regional and international levels. Our vision is to provide dynamic leadership in teaching, research, consultancy and extension services in Geography and Environmental Studies (quoted from the Department website).

Partners shaking hands

Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), University of Nairobi

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), established in 1971, is located at the University of Nairobi, one of Kenya’s largest universities. In November 2005, CSUD and DURP signed a Memorandum of Understanding based on an academic exchange. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, DURP and CSUD have become strategic partners on projects in Ruiru, Kenya, and on collaborative efforts with the Ruiru Municipal Council and the Government of Kenya. DURP and CSUD have assisted each other in various capacities, including joint presentations and workshops. DURP has been, and continues to be, an invaluable partner in its work with Columbia University students and faculty on research projects.

Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (INST), University of Nairobi

The Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (INST) is in the College of Architecture and Engineering at the University of Nairobi . It was started in 1979 as the Centre for Nuclear Science Techniques within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. This was as a result of a combined initiative of the Kenya Government through the National Council for Science and Technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the University of Nairobi . It later was elevated to an Institute of Nuclear Science, as and when its activities increased. With expanded scope and mandate into areas of Renewable Energy and other future developments, the Institute came to be known as Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (quoted from the INST website).

Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi

The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) is one of the oldest and best-established research institutes in Africa. IDS is a multipurpose and multi-disciplinary institute within the University of Nairobi’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It focuses on social and economic issues of development in Kenya, the rest of Africa and the world. In addition to initiating its own academic and policy-oriented research, IDS provides research services to government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

IDS build capacity for the analysis of development issues through its MA and PhD programmers. It uses its seminar series, workshops, and publications to communicate and get feedback on its research results.IDS also encourage intellectual exchange through collaborative research and welcoming research associates (quoted from the IDS website).

School of Computing and Informatics, University of Nairobi

The School of Computing and Informatics (SCI) formerly known as the Institute of Computer Science is part of the College of Biological and Physical Sciences of the University of Nairobi. The School was formally established by statute in 1977.

The School of Computing and Informatics seeks to be a leading centre of excellence in research, research and development (R&D) and advanced education in computing; addressing national and regional needs for information and communications technology and product development.

The School is located at the picturesque Chiromo Campus off Riverside Drive within the College of Biological and Physical Science of the University of Nairobi. SCI is housed in a three storey building with office facilities for over 50 members of staff, a computer room, and several computer labs with a fully networked modern computer infrastructure, a library and several classrooms (quoted from School of Computing and Informatics Website).