NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 14 – Property developers are turning to biophilic building designs as a way of cutting long-term operating costs while creating healthier and more sustainable urban spaces.
The Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) says developers should incorporate features such as natural light, vegetation, ventilation and efficient use of resources as cities become more densely built.
KPDA General Manager Rose Kananu said the main challenge is the higher upfront cost of adopting green and biophilic features, but the investment can pay off through lower running costs and stronger demand from tenants.
“The initial cost seems high, but when we look at the whole life-cycle cost, it pays off in the long run,” Kananu said.
She said developers could also benefit from higher rental and leasing income as demand for nature-oriented buildings grows.
Kananu was speaking during the second Africa Biophilic Building Conference and Expo 2026, which brought together developers, government officials and built-environment professionals to discuss nature-based construction.Biophilic design uses elements such as natural lighting, vegetation, water, natural materials and building orientation to strengthen the connection between people and nature.
The government is also exploring the use of locally available materials, including bamboo, agricultural waste and recycled glass, as Kenya seeks more affordable and climate-responsive construction.
Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said traditional knowledge could be combined with modern construction technology to promote the use of local materials.
She said the materials would, however, have to meet required safety and quality standards before being adopted in formal construction.
Wahome said Kenya does not yet have a dedicated regulatory framework for biophilic construction, adding that more work is needed to determine the policy interventions required to support the sector.
Green Biophilic Living Society founder Wangui Mwangi said biophilic design should move beyond being an architectural trend and become part of mainstream construction policy and practice.
“We need to make sure that these biophilic principles are something that we do in our policy, in the way we build,” Mwangi said.
The push comes as Kenya seeks to accommodate rapid urban growth while improving climate resilience and the quality of urban living.
For developers, wider adoption of biophilic buildings will depend on whether consumers are willing to pay for healthier and more resource-efficient spaces and whether policy can help reduce the initial cost of construction.
