B.M. Mutuku (Benson Mutinda)

Benson Mutuku is Spatial Planner by Profession. He holds a Master’s degree in Geo-information and Earth Observation Science in Urban Planning and Management. He is currently working as GIS and Physical Planning Officer in the Department of Lands and Urban Development, County Government of Makueni in Kenya.

Benson has professional interest in Urban and Regional Planning, Regional Economics, Geospatial Science, Data Analysis, Decision-Making and Collaboration Planning Approaches, Urban Governance, Policy Translation and Institutional adaptation.

Benson has over seven years’ experience in GIS application in project planning and management, regional development, networked infrastructure, shared/public utilities and services, including various types of urban innovation projects, qualitative and quantitative research, urban policy, stakeholders’ engagement in the context of advanced and emerging economies (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Netherlands).

His PhD research work focuses on exploring the dynamics of regional economics (including factors such as policies, institution, competitive advantage, natural resource advantage and locational units) and how these factors influence spatial development (evidenced by agglomeration or dispersions structures, infrastructure networks, transport and communication systems within the Kenyan context. Through his research work, Benson aims to develop fit-to-purpose geo-technologies, tools and practices for coordinated spatial planning and development in the existing Regional Economic Blocs, County Governments among other administrative units.