This initiative aims to improve the streets around the upcoming New GoDown Cultural Arts Complex, to make them safer and more inclusive public spaces, accommodating a diversity of shared commercial, social and cultural activities. These street improvements are a continuation of studies that started in 2011and carried out in conjunction with UN-Habitat and The GoDown’s partnering architects, White Arkitekter (Sweden) and PLANNING Systems (Kenya), exploring the possibility of creating a ‘Cultural Axis’ in the Industrial Area of Nairobi. The GoDown’sHerCity#HerStreets initiative involves the deployment of the step-by-step inclusive methodology of UN Habitat’s HerCity toolkit. The HerCity toolkit is designed to improve citizens’ participation in the development of public spaces, with a special focus on including vulnerable groups such as women, girls and youth. https://hercity.unhabitat.org/.

The idea for a collaborative artistic and cultural festival about Nairobi arose from meetings between the GoDown Arts Centre and its architectural partner, White Arkitekter, in response to the need for more discourse about the city. The GoDown and White presented the Nai Ni Who? Festival and the overall GoDown Transformation Project at both the Sixth and Seventh World Urban Forums.