Some of us still live in that colonial mentality that we are inadequate and can do nothing. Skeptic comments here remind me of those days when the plans of Thika road were displayed. Lets wait and see.

February 28, 2012 at 11:29 am
Listers, I am in Barcelona for the GSM World congress. I have never attended this congress before but this year I was requested to give three speeches touching on the infrastructure innovations that we have achieved in Kenya. Yesterday I spoke at one of the functions dedicated to freeing up Broadband from Broadcast to Mobile Broadband through Digital migration in other words known as Digital Dividends.

The 700 and 800 Mgz band is in big demand for LTE roll out but in most countries including Kenya the band is occupied by broadcasters. Considering that some countries have made broadband a human right issue, it is urgent now that these bands are freed up for broadband. It is cheaper to deploy a new network using these bands and if everybody adopted them, due to economies of scale equipment cost will be lower and thus lower prices to majority of people who will need broadband in the days to come.

I am writing not because of broadband but because I was bothered all night that we are not seeing the broader picture of Konza Technology City. This is after a dinner with an old friend of mine from college now an economist and professor at University of Murcia here in Spain. I asked him many questions with respect to the thinking behind Fira de Barcelona, the venue of the congress.

For a start, Fira de Barcelona is a trade fair ground and organizer that was officially constituted in 1932 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is publicly owned company with autonomous management, organizing more than 80 trade shows, bringing together 40,000 companies and receiving three and a half million visitors (this is close to four times the number of tourists we get in Kenya).

Fira de Barcelona has 365,000 m2 of exhibition floor space, one of the largest areas in Europe, divided into two exhibition centers, the initial one at Montjuïc (165,000m2 of exhibition floor space, 50,000 outdoor) and the new one at the Gran Via business district, opened in 2007 close to Hospitalet de Llobregat (200,000m2 exhibition floor space). It covers an area of about 100 acres. By contrast the Konza Convention Center will create about 50,000 m2 spaces and cover less than 20 acres.

In 1932 when Spain was is worse state of economy than we are now, these people had a dream that brings close to $10 billion or one third of our economy annually. Hotel occupancy is in the upwards of 90% throughout the year with practically every brand located here. The Hospitality Industry is busy throughout the year. From car hire to hotels that are offering local dishes. WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR US TO THINK THIS WAY IN THE 21st CENTURTY¬?

By my estimate we shall achieve vision 2030 by 2020 if we stop corruption, elect good leaders, avoid self pity, plan the family (no more than 3 kids) and build confidence in ourselves. In corruption we have new breeds in town fronting Europeans to give a sense morality in any transaction (I know it is risky for me to write this but it has to be said). In Goldenberg there was Kettering. In Anglo Leasing there were Greek Cypriots. Such happens in the lead up to past elections and we are seeing aggressive approaches to create other mountains.

I do not think someone else will come to our aid especially in strategic thinking. Today Giant companies are knocking our doors to do research here. It is imperative that we create the necessary ecosystem for knowledge to thrive. It is knowledge that will give rise to what we desire in vision 2030. That is why we need standards, we need Konza, we need broadband throughout the country and above all we need people to take responsibility for the vision. One cannot give birth to 15 children and blame the Government for not delivering the vision.

Konza is simply a concept for us all to see it through. We must concentrate on understanding the concept so that it is not owned by just a few. I do not know where I shall be next year but I will be gratified to know that such concept is carried forward by those who sought to understand it and bear the responsibility of seeing it through.

Ndemo.

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[quote=murchr]February 28, 2012 at 11:29 am
Listers, I am in Barcelona for the GSM World congress. I have never attended this congress before but this year I was requested to give three speeches touching on the infrastructure innovations that we have achieved in Kenya. Yesterday I spoke at one of the functions dedicated to freeing up Broadband from Broadcast to Mobile Broadband through Digital migration in other words known as Digital Dividends.

The 700 and 800 Mgz band is in big demand for LTE roll out but in most countries including Kenya the band is occupied by broadcasters. Considering that some countries have made broadband a human right issue, it is urgent now that these bands are freed up for broadband. It is cheaper to deploy a new network using these bands and if everybody adopted them, due to economies of scale equipment cost will be lower and thus lower prices to majority of people who will need broadband in the days to come.

I am writing not because of broadband but because I was bothered all night that we are not seeing the broader picture of Konza Technology City. This is after a dinner with an old friend of mine from college now an economist and professor at University of Murcia here in Spain. I asked him many questions with respect to the thinking behind Fira de Barcelona, the venue of the congress.

For a start, Fira de Barcelona is a trade fair ground and organizer that was officially constituted in 1932 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is publicly owned company with autonomous management, organizing more than 80 trade shows, bringing together 40,000 companies and receiving three and a half million visitors (this is close to four times the number of tourists we get in Kenya).

Fira de Barcelona has 365,000 m2 of exhibition floor space, one of the largest areas in Europe, divided into two exhibition centers, the initial one at Montjuïc (165,000m2 of exhibition floor space, 50,000 outdoor) and the new one at the Gran Via business district, opened in 2007 close to Hospitalet de Llobregat (200,000m2 exhibition floor space). It covers an area of about 100 acres. By contrast the Konza Convention Center will create about 50,000 m2 spaces and cover less than 20 acres.

In 1932 when Spain was is worse state of economy than we are now, these people had a dream that brings close to $10 billion or one third of our economy annually. Hotel occupancy is in the upwards of 90% throughout the year with practically every brand located here. The Hospitality Industry is busy throughout the year. From car hire to hotels that are offering local dishes. WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR US TO THINK THIS WAY IN THE 21st CENTURTY¬?

By my estimate we shall achieve vision 2030 by 2020 if we stop corruption, elect good leaders, avoid self pity, plan the family (no more than 3 kids) and build confidence in ourselves. In corruption we have new breeds in town fronting Europeans to give a sense morality in any transaction (I know it is risky for me to write this but it has to be said). In Goldenberg there was Kettering. In Anglo Leasing there were Greek Cypriots. Such happens in the lead up to past elections and we are seeing aggressive approaches to create other mountains.

I do not think someone else will come to our aid especially in strategic thinking. Today Giant companies are knocking our doors to do research here. It is imperative that we create the necessary ecosystem for knowledge to thrive. It is knowledge that will give rise to what we desire in vision 2030. That is why we need standards, we need Konza, we need broadband throughout the country and above all we need people to take responsibility for the vision. One cannot give birth to 15 children and blame the Government for not delivering the vision.

Konza is simply a concept for us all to see it through. We must concentrate on understanding the concept so that it is not owned by just a few. I do not know where I shall be next year but I will be gratified to know that such concept is carried forward by those who sought to understand it and bear the responsibility of seeing it through.

Ndemo.

_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list from http://www.kictanet.or.ke/?p=6626[/quote]

Thanks for informing us that no one else will come to our aid in terms of strategic thinking.

What was the rationale behind relying on Worldbank/IFC and overseas architects/master-planners in the Konza city strategic thinking?

See comments here below on ICT BOard not being aware of the Physical Planning act regulations:

I still insist that ICT BOard will ned to work with other Ministries that have real estate expertise to ensure smooth running. I also insist that use of Kenyan consultancies in terms of Financial advisory and Architecture/Master planning will resolve these hiccups.

Even Construction industry students know the basic Physical Planning act requirements...

http://www.kictanet.or.ke/?p=6626


February 27, 2012 at 6:37 pm

Edith, We have been pushed back by at least two months. We were not aware that the Physical Planning Act required publication of intent to replan the entire zone. It will also give protection to Konza. The first advert was done a week ago. We need to have stakeholder consultation once more and a final advert to avoid being sued. We must follow the law to the letter. We shall be there since all other requirements have been taken care of.

Ndemo.’

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I find it contradictory for you to quote Samsung [S.Korea] to support your idea. Dig into the history of the Korea Inc, and it will teach you a thing or two about gov't, third world economy and accelerated economic development. Go to the days just after the Korean war,when the communists made a u-turn in the midlands ,around Daegu.Park Chung Hee, a military ruler, a people's dictator i would say,after the kicking out the weakling that Syngnam was, Park Chung transformed the economy and the country as well. Trees were planted everywhere, people cleaned their neighborhoods. Economically, thru' his word, the gov't funded the founding men of Samsung, Daewoo, Lakhui & Goldastar[later LG], Hyundai etc. Those companies ran like parastatals in private hands. The gov't banned importation of anything made by these companies later turned into Chaebol. The gov't gave them land for expansion, they had long tax breaks, Koreans were made to consume "local", every penny they needed, the gov't availed it. You went against the people's dictator and you were 'taken away'.
And so did Samsung[Korea] grow.

To be what you are quoting for me, Hyundai became the world's no. 1 ship-builder. Samsung became a great builder,they did Khalifa,Petronas towers, taipei 101,Joyland etc.

Assuming you were in Korea in the days of Park Chung, and you had your way,do you think Samsung/Hyundai/LG would be the greats they are? If YES,how?! What you say?