Field Observation
Document settlement morphology, construction typologies, circulation patterns and the interface between homes, riverbanks and drainage infrastructure.
How we work
From field evidence to spatial risk intelligence
URESA-LAB uses the Mathare mission as a pilot for an interdisciplinary method that links direct observation, surveys, interviews, mapping and design research.
Methodology
Environmental Assessment
Observe fluvial morphology, sedimentation, erosion, water marks, drainage capacity and solid-waste obstruction points.
Local Adaptation Practices
Record how residents elevate floors, strengthen structures and reorganize spaces to cope with flooding and daily constraints.
Quantitative Surveys & Interviews
Combine household surveys with interviews involving local leaders, youth organizations, institutions and civil society actors.
Analysis Tools
Geospatial Analysis
Connect field findings to satellite imagery, GIS layers and contextual maps to build a multi-scale reading of risk.
Territorial Morphography
Produce a detailed morphography of Mathare that reveals density dynamics, infrastructure networks, environmental systems and daily practices.
River Corridor Proposals
Develop interventions for waste management, sanitation conditions and flood risk so the river corridor becomes a structuring element of resilience.