Cities in Africa are undergoing rapid urbanisation to cope with an influx of people mainly seeking better jobs and amenities. Kigali city in Rwanda has evolved rapidly over the past two decades, becoming a hotspot for commerce, finance, and government services. As investment and construction surged, several modern office buildings and commercial spaces have been developed to augment the increasing demand. However, this rapid growth has also led to business concentration in some areas, while other buildings remain vacant, especially on upper floors. This study evaluates how visibility and occupation patterns on lower ground floors influence vacancy in upper floors of commercial buildings in Kigali City, while examining disruptions and spatial relationships between pedestrian crossings and transition stations. Using spatial analysis and architectural assessment, the research investigates how limited visibility, poor vertical circulation, and fragmented pedestrian connections reduce accessibility to upper levels, contributing to their underutilization. Digital platforms such as ArcGIS, Revit, and Lumion were utilised to locate and design key points for these connections. Findings indicate that lower-floor dominance in activity and visibility creates uneven spatial engagement, while discontinuities in pedestrian routes further limit access to elevated spaces. The research highlights the importance of integrated circulation systems, improved visual connectivity, and pedestrian-oriented linkages to support balanced occupation across building levels. These strategies aim to enhance accessibility, reactivate vacant upper floors, and strengthen spatial continuity, contributing to a more efficient and adaptive urban commercial environment.
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Vertical Vacancy and Spatial Continuity: Evaluating the impact of Visibility and Pedestrian Connectivity on Commercial Building Occupation in Kigali city, Rwanda
Published:
15 May 2026
by MDPI
in The 1st International Online Conference on Urban Sciences
session Urban Planning and Design
Abstract:
Keywords: Vertical circulation; Spatial continuity; Urban morphology; Visibility analysis; Kigali, Rwanda
