City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya

City identity and branding have traditionally been shaped by iconic architecture, including monumental buildings and landmarks. However, recent studies have begun to explore city branding through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly from a landscape perspective. There is l...

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Main Author: Edwin Koyoo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2024-12-01
Series:Acta Structilia
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Online Access:https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/as/article/view/8398
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author Edwin Koyoo
author_facet Edwin Koyoo
author_sort Edwin Koyoo
collection DOAJ
description City identity and branding have traditionally been shaped by iconic architecture, including monumental buildings and landmarks. However, recent studies have begun to explore city branding through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly from a landscape perspective. There is limited research, particularly in the Global South, examining the role of CSR in the enhancement of open green spaces and its contribution to shaping urban landscape identity. This study investigates CSR-driven beautification projects in Kisumu City, Kenya, where corporate-funded initiatives have sought to improve urban landscapes through the landscaping of road islands and roundabouts, alongside broader urban renewal efforts. The article aims to document the spatial attributes of these CSR projects; assess their current status in terms of cleanliness, safety, and maintenance, as well as identify the challenges faced in implementing CSR-driven beautification efforts. The aim of these projects is not only to promote the city’s unique urban identity, but also to enhance the corporate image through landscape branding. A qualitative research methodology is employed, involving field observations, GIS mapping, and photography, complemented by purposive interviews. The findings reveal not only diverse landscape designs, including water features and sculptures, but also highlight significant issues with upkeep, safety concerns from street urchins, and the overall deterioration of some sites. These results are valuable for policymakers in city governments and corporations involved in CSR projects, offering insights into how such initiatives can better contribute to urban landscape identity, city branding, and the sustainability of urban beautification efforts.
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spelling doaj-art-001de6a8696e4ffa838d28fa0446668b2024-12-12T07:14:44ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Structilia1023-05642415-04872024-12-0131215018710.38140/as.v31i2.8398City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, KenyaEdwin Koyoo 0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7049-1034University of Rwanda, Rwanda City identity and branding have traditionally been shaped by iconic architecture, including monumental buildings and landmarks. However, recent studies have begun to explore city branding through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly from a landscape perspective. There is limited research, particularly in the Global South, examining the role of CSR in the enhancement of open green spaces and its contribution to shaping urban landscape identity. This study investigates CSR-driven beautification projects in Kisumu City, Kenya, where corporate-funded initiatives have sought to improve urban landscapes through the landscaping of road islands and roundabouts, alongside broader urban renewal efforts. The article aims to document the spatial attributes of these CSR projects; assess their current status in terms of cleanliness, safety, and maintenance, as well as identify the challenges faced in implementing CSR-driven beautification efforts. The aim of these projects is not only to promote the city’s unique urban identity, but also to enhance the corporate image through landscape branding. A qualitative research methodology is employed, involving field observations, GIS mapping, and photography, complemented by purposive interviews. The findings reveal not only diverse landscape designs, including water features and sculptures, but also highlight significant issues with upkeep, safety concerns from street urchins, and the overall deterioration of some sites. These results are valuable for policymakers in city governments and corporations involved in CSR projects, offering insights into how such initiatives can better contribute to urban landscape identity, city branding, and the sustainability of urban beautification efforts.https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/as/article/view/8398ity beautificationcorporate social responsibilitycorporate brand advertisinglandscape brandinglandscapingpublic open spacessustainabilityurban landscape identity
spellingShingle Edwin Koyoo
City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
Acta Structilia
ity beautification
corporate social responsibility
corporate brand advertising
landscape branding
landscaping
public open spaces
sustainability
urban landscape identity
title City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
title_full City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
title_fullStr City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
title_full_unstemmed City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
title_short City beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in Kisumu City, Kenya
title_sort city beautification through corporate social responsibility landscape branding in enhancing urban landscape identity in kisumu city kenya
topic ity beautification
corporate social responsibility
corporate brand advertising
landscape branding
landscaping
public open spaces
sustainability
urban landscape identity
url https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/as/article/view/8398
work_keys_str_mv AT edwinkoyoo citybeautificationthroughcorporatesocialresponsibilitylandscapebrandinginenhancingurbanlandscapeidentityinkisumucitykenya