Exploring the Role of Street Art in Urban Development and Social Commentary in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the role of street art in urban development andsocial commentary in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondarydata or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collectingdata from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to fieldresearch, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, thestudy relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easilyaccessed through the online journals and library.Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to therole of street art in urban development and social commentary in Kenya. Preliminary empirical reviewrevealed that street art serves as a dynamic and influential force in shaping urban development,community engagement, and social commentary. Through a series of empirical investigations, we haveuncovered several key findings that underscore the vital role of street art in Kenya. It also demonstratedthat street art has proven to be a catalyst for urban renewal and community revitalization in Kenyancities.Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Constructivism theory, VisualCulture theory and the Critical Urban theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of streetart in urban development and social commentary in Kenya. The study recommended for city authoritiesand urban planners to recognize the significant role that street art plays in urban development; theimportance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage through street art. Street art often serves asa powerful medium for expressing cultural identity and diversity and that it is crucial to recognize therole of street art as a form of social commentary and activism. Street artists in Kenya have been usingtheir works to address critical societal issues, from political corruption to social inequality.Policymakers should create an environment that allows for the free expression of such messages andsupports artists in their endeavors.