| dc.description.abstract | The study seeks to find ut the impact of road re-alignment on market centres'
development and road function using a case study of Nkubu - Thuchi road in Imenti
South District, in the Republic of Kenya. The study further seeks to find out how
development of roads (particularly road re-alignments) and their functionality, and
market centres' development affect each other, and how they may be planned to avoid
conflicts and ensure their potential and functionality. The theoretical concept is that, a
three-tier relationship exists between road re-alignment, market centres' development and
road functionality, where; road functionality is a function of road re-alignment and
market centres' development; and market centres' development is also a function of road
re-alignment and road functionality.
The problems of Nkubu - Thuchi road re-alignment are mainly two fold. In the process
of being paved in the mid 1980s, major re-alignments were made and some market
centres were by-passed, resulting in loss of business. On the other hand, roadside
developments have sprouted along the new highway re-alignment, subsequently affecting
the functionality of the road.
The research methodology involved literature review, pnmary and secondary data
collection, data analysis, interpretation and synthesis aiid subsequent recommendations to
address short term mitigation measures and policy recommendations to address long term
measures. For pri~My_ilata collection, household questionnaires, road users' origin -
destination (O-D) surveys, market centres' questionnaires and vehicle counts were
carried out as well as interview schedules with key informants. Secondary data involved
review of published and unpublished material, government reports, print media and the
internet. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were the
main computer packages used for data analysis.
. The study findings show that the main adverse impacts of the re-alignment of Nkubu -
Thuchi road on the originally existing market centres which were by-passed, are poor
access roads leading from the "new" main road into the old market centres, poor service
roads within the old centres, and business competition from the roadside developments.
About 84% of the respondents 0 erating in the old market centres said the roadside
developments have affected their b sinesses negatively, and about 84% of the drivers
interviewed said they do not like drivi into the old market centres due to poor access
roads and lack of business. However, 93% of the drivers responded that they would drive
into the old market centres if the centres were well planned and developed with good
roads.
On Road functionality, the main adverse impacts are roadside developments/businesses
and increase in accidents. About 66% of the drivers interviewed preferred that the
roadside businesses be moved and conducted further away from the road, while about
80% of the pedestrians interviewed said the greatest danger/risk while walking along the
"new" road is fear of being run over by speeding motorists since there are no provisions
for pedestrian walkways.
Studies further revealed that, not only market centres and the road functionality were
affected adversely, but also the local community, learning institutions and other
institutions. Kaguru Farmers Training Institute for example had its land severed into two
portions by the "new" road and today they have had to improvise a culvert as a tunnel to
pass their animals and small farm tractors.
The study recommendations include provision of all-weather access and service roads
into the old market centres, control of roadside developments and relocation of those that
are operating on the road reserves, and provision of road furniture and pedestrian
walkways (near the market centres)
As a policy recommendation, the study calls for integration of land use planning and road
design engineering to ensure sustainable growth of market centres and efficient road
functionality. | en |
