| dc.description.abstract | The quality of the environment in the residential areas in Nairobi continues to
deteri,orate at an alarming rate. This is manifested in the loss of biodiversity,
accumulation of solid waste and fecal matter, overcrowding, dust, miscellaneous
smells, high prevalence of diseases (especially in the slums) and other environmental
quality indicators in the habitats.
This study set out to establish the main factors that determine the quality of the
environment in the residential areas of Nairobi, with a view to recommending
possible strategies to enhance the quality of the environment in those areas.
To facilitate investigations, residential areas in Nairobi were classified
according to the average household income into low, middle and high_income
residential areas. From the classified residential income categories, one residential
estate was randomly chosen to represent that income stratum. Five environmental
quality parameters were chosen for investigation and their magnitude established in
each of the three socio-economic residential groupings. The environmental parameters
chosen were, access to clean water, mode of human and solid waste disposal,
population density, mode of land and house tenure and household income.
Secondary and primary data sources were used.
The key findings were that:
• The level of infrastructure and service prOVIsIOnaffects the quality of the
environment in the residential areas.•.
• The quality and level of the infrastructure and services provided by the Nee in
most residential areas. is low and lacking in the informal settlements.
• Nee does not provide services in the informal settlements where majority of
Nairobi's residents live. -
v
• Where people enjoy security of tenure, they are more committed to
environmental conservation.
• Population density in the residential areas IS inversely correlated with the
average household income.
• Environmental quality is worst in the low-income areas and it improves as the
average household income improves.
From the above findings it shows that low- income residential areas have the
worst environmental quality in Nairobi. Therefore, more efforts towards
improving the quality of the environment should be geared towards the low-
Income areas.
To improve the quality of the environment III the residential areas, the
recommended interventions policies and strategies include, legitimising the
informal settlements, provision of infrastructure and services, construction of
affordable low cost quality houses, population redistribution, and initiating income
generating activities as a way of sustainable environmental quality improvement. | en |
