An international mixed-use convention quarter to transform Nairobi’s urban landscape.
Bomas Urban District reframes Bomas of Kenya as a next-generation destination where national identity and international exchange meet.
The masterplan expands the site into an all-in-one convention, entertainment and safari experience, positioning Nairobi as a leading capital for meetings and tourism while keeping Kenyan culture at the core of the place.
Set in western Nairobi, Bomas Urban District is conceived as a metropolitan gateway announced from Langata Road, organised as a legible district of five zones experienced as a single journey. The arrival sequence uses a strong gateway moment to position the site as a city-scale destination rather than an isolated venue—easy to find, hard to forget.
Five zones, one journey—organised like a living narrative
The masterplan is structured as a set of major activity zones—originally aligned with the “Big Five” and extended with an additional zone to support tourism strategy and international markets. A strong ceremonial boulevard culminates in the Convention Centre, while the Gateway Zone establishes the first impression through a tower and a welcoming plaza sequence. The district works as an intelligible piece of city: clear anchors, legible movement and a storyline that visitors can follow.
A complete event city: conference, arena, culture and hospitality—layered into one address
The programme is deliberately bold and multi-layered. The Convention Centre anchors the district with a main auditorium designed for over 5,000 people, supported by meeting rooms and guest facilities.
Nearby, a 3,000-capacity banquet hall and a Presidential Hall complete the formal event cluster. The Events Zone introduces a 20,000-capacity multipurpose arena with a retractable roof and flexible layout, capable of hosting international sport and major concerts. Hospitality and living elements—hotels, serviced apartments and residential—extend the district beyond peak event moments, while cultural and heritage components offer daily relevance and tourism depth.
The public realm is designed as a sequence of experiences. Arrival is amplified by a gateway landmark and a plaza moment where visitors orient themselves before moving into the district. Cultural life is staged through heritage gardens, performances and craft activities, while contemporary attractions—shopping, dining and entertainment—support longer stays and repeat visits. A distinct safari experience is integrated into the urban district through a circular walkway and an elevated monorail concept, turning movement itself into a memorable, family-friendly event.
A new civic magnet—where Nairobi hosts the world without losing itself
The project’s value lies in how it packages culture, tourism and global convening into one coherent urban destination. By pairing large-scale event infrastructure with heritage programming and leisure ecosystems, it aims to diversify Nairobi’s attractiveness while reinforcing Kenya’s identity as an experience. Sustainability is embedded as both performance and expression—through landmark buildings designed with environmental intent and facades inspired by contemporary Kenyan art and tradition—supporting a district image that is modern, rooted and distinctly local.