We believe in the power of data to catalyze social change. Many of the places where we work lack good data, and so policy makers and residents alike cannot easily make informed decisions about priority needs and effective solutions. We develop academically rigorous research projects that involve residents and community partners in both the design and delivery of research that fills clear gaps in knowledge and leads to practical action based on the findings.
Check out some of our research + test projects here.
We believe in the power of public space to stimulate economic activity, grow community cohesion, and create healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. KDI has been designing and building what we call “Productive Public Spaces” in Kenya since 2006 and in the US since 2012.
Our built works can be either temporary or permanent in nature and extend to parks, vacant lots, riverscapes, green infrastructure and the structures and services that underpin successful public spaces. We execute all phases of the design process from conceptual design through construction administration.
Check out some of our design + build projects here.
We believe in the power of resident voices and the coproduction of knowledge to advance equity. We leverage our built work, community networks, and grounded research into advocacy campaigns that shape policy and practice. To maximize our advocacy impact we partner with local and state government including Nairobi City County and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, multilateral agencies like UN Habitat, and academic institutions like KTH Royal Institute of Technology and King's College London.
We also know that changes in practice take time, so we plan for the long-term and invest today in shaping and building connections to the next generations of community-engaged designers through teaching, lecturing and hosting students and emerging practitioners. Key partnerships include Engineers Without Borders UK, Harvey Mudd Global Clinic, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Check out some of our advocate + educate projects here and here.