| dc.description.abstract | This is a research study on the planning options for housing the ageing population
in Kibera Division of Nairobi. The "graying" population as they are referred to, is a
phenomenon that has received little attention from development planners. The
reality of the population ageing has been proved in several demographic studies to
be increasing and increasing at a higher rate. Whereas now there is a total of 37,401
persons in Nairobi over age 60 as par the 1999 census, this is projected to increase
to approximately 2 million by the year 2020. This unprecedented increase of the
aged in the population is exposing the older people to many hardships especially in
the urban areas. These include socio-economic changes like the increase in the
numbers dependant on the elderly, limited employment opportunities, difficulty in
accruing credit e.t.c.; deterioration of cultural values and morals, the breakdown of
family cohesion, drug abuse and prostitution; perennial man made and natural
disasters like tribal clashes, political incitement as seen in the recent tenant/landlord
standoff in Kibera - Nairobi and the deadly.HIY-AIDS scourge, among others.
Quite startling is the fact that all these changes are finding governments, the private
sector, NGQs, .the society, the family and the individual in general, completely
unaware are prepared to deal with the problems facing the aged (G.O.K., 2001).
The study used multi-stage sampling to reach this cadre of persons aged 60 years
and above in Kibera Division. The methodology besides using primary data also
included secondary sources to arrive at the present demographic statistics and
trends in Kibera Division. The special needs of the elderly were evident by the
living conditions/standards of the increasing number of the elderly in the areas of
residence within Kibera Division as analyzed from the data collected through
various data collection methods (field survey observations, household and
institutional questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews). Kibera
Division was a fitting study area because among other reasons it includes low
income populace living in the Kibera slums, middle income residents of the
Langata residential estates and the high income Karen residents. The varied needs
for elderly persons was thus wholly covered and proposals made to alleviate their
different problems as they contend with physical, institutional and systematic
barriers. These hinder their everyday activities and their participation in urban life.
It is evident from this that the elderly (who epitomise what the situation will be as
the population continues ageing) have not been catered for within our housing
development plans and so the research proposes or makes recommendations to
alleviate their plight and enhance their well being. The study describes housing as
more than a roof over the head: it entails adequate space, ventilation, security, basic
services, secure tenure, location with respect to employment opportunities and
public amenities, structural stability and durability, and favorable environmental
quality. All these should be affordable. The dwelling should also promote social
interaction and economic advancement. Housing should therefore be seen not only
in physical terms, but also in terms of what it does to the elderly population
economically, socially, psychologically and environmentally. | en |
