Urban Design Internship

Tatu City is a 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi’s doorstep with homes, schools, businesses, a shopping district, a medical clinic, nature areas and recreation for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors.

The Urban Design Intern will gain hands-on experience supporting the planning and design of Tatu City’s precincts, public spaces, and development areas. The role provides an opportunity to work on large-scale, mixed-use urban development projects while learning from experienced design professionals.

Key Responsibilities

•  Design Support: Assist the urban design team in developing and refining conceptual and detailed masterplans for various precincts within Tatu City.
•  Drawing & Graphics Production: Produce and edit design drawings, plans, and visual presentations using CAD and Adobe Creative Suite.
•  Site Layout & Analysis: Contribute to site layout studies, design options, and data collection to inform planning decisions.
•  Planning Support: Assist in preparing precinct plans, neighbourhood layouts, and initial yield projections for residential, commercial, and public spaces.
•  Documentation: Support the development of design documents such as Urban Design Frameworks (UDFs), place strategies, and streetscape guidelines.
•  Technical Drafting: Prepare and update detailed CAD drawings, reports, and design presentations.
•  Public Realm Focus: Assist in the design and coordination of public realm projects including parks, squares, and trails.
•  Inter-team Coordination: Work with other departments, including engineering, infrastructure, and construction teams, to ensure design alignment.
•  Site Familiarization: Participate in site visits and assist in collecting and analyzing field data.

Requirements

Technical Skills

• Pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Foundational understanding of urban design and planning principles.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Strong visual and graphical presentation skills.
• Prior exposure to large-scale or community-based projects is an advantage.

Soft Skills & Personal Attributes

•  Eagerness to Learn: Proactive, adaptable, and open to guidance from senior colleagues.
•  Collaboration: A team player with a strong sense of initiative and cooperation.
•  Communication: Clear and professional in written and verbal communication.
•  Organization: Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple tasks.
•  Work Ethic: Self-motivated, energetic, and committed to high-quality work delivery.
•  Flexibility: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and adapting to evolving project needs.