| dc.description.abstract | It was generally observed that there seems to be a
close relationship between the spatial pattern of urban
growth and the pattern of physical infrastructure
provision. The study therefore set out to examine the
nature of this relationship.
In examining the study problem, the problem was
first stated, objectives set which were meant to be the
basis of the evaluation and to guide the achievement of
he desired goals~ Several hypothesis were also set which
were to be tested against the analyzed data together with
the validity of.the study assumptions. The study covered
Nyeri Municipality but mostly concentrated wi thin the CBD
and its environments. Detailed study was done in Kiawara
and Majengo whose results were to give the sample
characteristics applicabl~ to the whole municipality.
Literature reviewed gave a broad focus to the study
but the only aspects the study intended to examine in
details were the water s~pply, sewerage systems and other
forms of infrastructure as mostly infrastructural
facilities are served as a package. All these kinds of
infrastructure contribute towards the growth of this town
both economical~y and lts spatial growth. These other
facilities include storm dri}inage, garbage collection and
disposal, transportation, electricity, postal and
telecommunication services which contributes both to the
economic and spatial growth of the town. Their influence
and impacts are significant in this town as will be seen
herein.
An overview study of the town was done firstly
focus.ing on the topographical, environmental, population
a.hd levels of infrastructural development were assessed '
and analyzed and their implications drawn. Same issues
were also looked at in the case study areas for
comparison purposes since the study areas could not be
treated in isolation.
The findings and the survey results were to enable
formulation of policy measures that can be adopted by the
council in its short and long term planning. The results
showed that infrastructural,levels in this town were low
and inadequate. This was constrained by the topography
which is characterised by a rugged terrain, population
factor,land availability ?nd ownerships which has led to
the scattered nature of the settlements. The scattered
nature of the settlements and the population densities
hinder provision of some infrastructural facilities and
services as those which re;quires high provision costs per
unit distance.
The are facilities like water supply, sewerage systems,
roads, electricity e.t.c.
Low income areas lacked adequate infrastructure and
located on the environmental fragile zone which was
steep, unable to allow efficient provision of
infrastructure though growing fast spatially as a part of
the urban centre. Most of the infrastructure was non-
resulting in a poor deteriorating and degraded
environment. Cost of infrastructural provision in those
areas is high t~ough other factors like the extent of
poverty also affected it. The poverty impacts can be seen
reflected by the poor housing structures that and the low
level of economic activities. Due to this community
participation was low though rarely does the council
involve public in its own planning.
Though the constraint of the terrain and finances
the council should recognise the low income areas and
give them equal treatment like any other area within the
town. This should entail provision of basic
infrastructure and services in equitable basis.
Consequently it should expand its revenue base to enable
it acquire enough finances which can be used to support
and sustain its project? | en |
