Nairobi, Aug. 10 -- Most new residential developments have children squeezing into a small play area, taking turns on a slide or running around the little space left between the parking bays and apartment blocks. A few metres away, there are rows of cars that occupy much of the compound, while balconies rise several floors above them.

These developments tick nearly every box for modern urban living: security, a convenient location, a swimming pool, gym, parking and sometimes even a rooftop lounge. But when it comes to one of the simplest needs for a family-space for children to play-the offering can be limited.

David Murugi, an architect, explains that rising land prices have put pressure on developers to maximise the number of saleable...