People

Dr. Mildred Murende Ambani Songoro

  • Role in Center:

    SMUS - APRI Post-Doctoral Fellow

  • Discipline:

    Urban Planning, GIS & Cartography

  • University:

    University of Nairobi/Kenyatta University

  • Country:

    Kenya

Biography: Dr.Ambani Songoro is a Land Use Planner, GIS Expert, and Cartographer with over ten years’ experience in Land Use Planning, Geospatial Technologies, informal settlement planning and mapping, land tenure and administration, and natural resource planning. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Honors degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Nairobi. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Management and Development Theory from IHS-Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and a Diploma in Cartography from the Technical University of Kenya. Her professional engagements and experience have focused on areas of geospatial technologies, sustainable human settlements planning, especially within informal settlements and slums, preparation of master plans and physical development plans. She has successfully been involved in the preparation of GIS-enabled policy implementation tools, mapping of informal settlements, feasibility studies, human settlements and master planning, Urban Development Policy Frameworks, Economic and Socio-Cultural Rights projects, and land tenure regularisation policy guidelines.

Policy Brief – Working title

Wicked Urban Problems in Africa: Geo-visualisation of Proliferation of Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

Selected Publications:

  • Journal Articles

    Ambani, M., Wamuchiru, E. Ayonga, J., & Ngayu, M., (2024): Relaxation of Plot Ratio and Lot Size and the Triggering of Gentrification in the Industrial Area of Nairobi. Africa Habitat Review Journal,19(3) (2024) 3046-3060. http://uonjournals.uonbi.ac.ke/ojs/index.php/ahr

    Ambani, M., Ayonga, J., Ngayu, M., & Wamuchiru, E. (2023): Dynamics of Industrial Gentrification: A Review of Literature. Africa Habitat Review Journal, 18(2), 2636-2646. https://uonjournals.uonbi.ac.ke/ojs/index.php/ahr

    Ambani, M.M. and Mulaku, G.C. (2021): GIS Assessment of Environmental Footprints of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Journal of Environmental Protection, 12, 694-716. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2021.1210042

Areas of Expertise:

Industrial Gentrification, Sustainable Human Settlements, GIS, Cartography

Prizes & Awards:

Research and Publication Recognition Award – May, 2025 (University of Nairobi)

Memberships & Networks:

Registered Planner (0355) – Physical Planners Registration Board (PPRB), Kenya

Corporate Member (0281C) – Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP)

Honorary Secretary – Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP)

Member – Geospatial Society of Kenya (GeoSK)

Member – Taskforce on Electronic Land Transactions, Registration, Conveyancing and other Related Activities under the Land Registration Act, 2012, the Land Act, 2012, and the Community Land Act, 2016 (Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning) (2018-2020)