MST-Department of Environmental Planning and Management
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Browsing MST-Department of Environmental Planning and Management by Author "Kamau, P."
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Item An assessment of the impacts of increased land subdivision on water supply infrastucture in Karen-Langata,Nairobi(2011-08-02) Kiama, P. M.; Kamau, P.; Ndungu, A.Most governments all over the world adopt land use planning regulations that help protect the urban and natural environment, gear infrastructural investment with development and maintain as well as enhance property values. They use master plans, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, building codes and other public policies to regulate urban planning and development. The results of unguided growth have made it clear that all too often the private developer fails to consider the interests of the larger community in his attempts to profit from his investments. Numerous community problems have resulted from such actions, including: poor location and siting of buildings, traffic congestion and unbalanced growth (UNCHS, HABITAT, 1996). The Kenyan Government has in place a Local Government, which is mandated to regulate land development. However, regardless of their best efforts, land development continues to be a problem. This is because despite local planning authorities being empowered to control the use and development of land and buildings in the interest of proper and orderly development of their area of jurisdiction, land use in urban areas have witnessed abuse of land use planning regulations. In particular, there have been a lot of illegal subdivisions of land and mushrooming of unplanned settlements causing a severe deficiency in existing limited services. The study aimed at finding out the impacts of increased subdivision on existing water supply infrastructure in Karen-Langata residential areas. The study was based on the assumption that lack of compliance to physical planning regulations and development controls will have a negative impact on the environment. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires and interviewing various stakeholders. Data was analysed under four main themes: identification of the building codes and zoning regulation for the study area; the type of development taking place in study area; the relationship between the planning regulation instruments and development in the study area and an assessment of the impacts of these developments on water infrastructure in the study area. To carry out the study successfully, two types of data; primary and secondary, were used. Data was gathered through observation, oral interviews, questionnaire administration and photography. The study found out that there are various land use planning regulations and instruments which govern land use in Karen Langata. These include zoning regulations, building codes, subdivisions regulations as well as a Local Physical Development Plan specifically for the study area. However, the study revealed that despite the land use planning regulations being in place, subdivision and subsequent development of properties has continued to increase at a rapid rate resulting in negative impacts to the water supply infrastructure. Developments in the study area not only consist of residential properties but also commercial and institutional developments. These have placed pressure on the existing water supply infrastructure. The study also ascertained that boreholes are the main alternative to NWSC water supply in the study area, which compensate for the shortfall in water supply. Nevertheless, the number of boreholes has exceeded the number required by t!,1c WRMA and pose a threat to the ground water resources in the study area. To resolve these problems, this study has given several recommendations such as the augmentation of the NWSC water supply network and the enforcement of regulations concerning ground water use. The study also explores the use of alternative sources of water such as rain water harvesting. The study finally recommends collaboration between the NCC and the residents through KLDA to ensure that the I PDP is strictly adhered to.Item Evaluation of natural building stones for sustainable housing in Juja, Kenya(2011-08-03) Kirimi, Karambu Doris; Mireri, C.; Kamau, P.Construction materials constitute 60% to 70% of the total cost of building a house. Out of this percentage, about 60% is taken up by the walling materials for low cost housing. Kenya currently, is exhibiting a predominant use of quarried stones for all buildings; this has increased the cost of housing production beyond the reach of many Kenyans. Yet other alternative materials that are both environmentally friendly and economical exists but are not being used sufficiently to provide housing. On this understanding, the research project attempted to answer questions regarding, why the predominant use of natural stones, against other selected alternatives and proposed a framework for utilizing locally available building materials for sustainable housing. Factors that contributed to the over-reliance on natural stones were evaluated, along with some environmental and socioeconomic issues. Policies and institutional framework that contribute to the observed practices of housing construction were also evaluated. To achieve the objectives of the study, Juja location in Thika district in Kenya was the target area, where housing developers and providers, materials producers, the local government, and central government respondents, provided primary data through questionnaires, interviews, observation guides, and photography were utilized to collect primary data. Both systematic random and purposive sampling techniques were used to gather the sample from the target population. Data was analysed with the aid of computer packages: SPSS and Microsoft Word Excel. The generated output was illustrated in form of pie charts and histograms. The main limitation to this study besides insufficient time and money was that the respondents were not willing to give information as they felt that the information being sort was personal and sensitive; this was true especially for material producers/suppliers. The data derived from the research showed that the policies, laws and by-laws that govern extraction and utilization of building stones, encourage over-reliance on natural stones, environmental degradation and unsustainable housing production. These policies, laws and regulations also facilitate little social economic benefit to the communities living within the area. Information obtained from developers showed that the people, lacked sufficient information in choosing materials for house building. They choose to use natural stones, because they perceive them to be durable and of favorable maintenance quality, and as much as many respondents wished to use alternative materials, they lacked information on other viable products, especially the researched options. This has encouraged un-sustainability in housing production and use of materials of construction. A framework for encouraging production and use of other viable alternatives has been proposed. This product will involve planning and management of the potentially locally, available building materials in Juja; a framework that has the potential for being adapted country wide.Item Integrating hawking in urban planning, management and governance in Nairobi Central Business District(2011-05-09) Ng'iru, Muigai Donald; Mireri, C.; Kamau, P.Hawking is a trade activity mostly carried out on the street or roadside and usually an option for the poor since it requires minimal capital, use of own labour. It is mainly undertaken for basic survival. Decline in growth in industrial sector, contracting civil sector, economic recession and the institution of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) among other factors have promoted the growth of hawking trade. In 2003, it contributed 13 per cent to Kenyas' GDP and -is still growing. The sector is though faced with numerous challenges in its operations such as conflicts and confrontations with the authorities, lack of recognition, eviction, unfavorable policies and regulatory frameworks, pavement use conflicts with pedestrians and formal businesses, lack of services and infrastructure among others. Previous efforts to manage and relocate the hawkers have not been successful as the hawkers have returned back to the streets. The study aimed to find-out the nature of hawking trade, identify challenges and opportunities of practicing hawking, to examine policies, participatory and regulatory framework and finally develop recommendations for integrating hawking in the CBD of Nairobi city. The methodology used was triangulation and involved use of various research methods both quantitative and qualitative. Random sampling and purposive methods were used. The main findings were that existing policies have been punitive to hawking activities despite its importance in employment creation among the urban majorities. The preference to hawk in the city is to maximize sales and transport hubs, major transport arteries and terminals attract the nost hawkers. Membership to hawker's organizations is relatively similar to those not, mainly lue to their structural and financial weaknesses, poor leadership among other. advanced recommendations include: policy review to reflect present needs through consultative fforts with all stakeholders. A forum for stakeholders has been proposed, integration of the awkers in the governance of the Authorities activities that affect them, more research into the ector to expand existing knowledge and more recognition of the sector with the subsequent support of the hawking organizations.