| dc.description.abstract | Development planning and development control challenges are not new in our
current urban scenarios. They have been there ever since man started
urbanizing and industrializing. Currently urbanization trend has been on the
increase resulting in urban expansion. But the authorities charged with the
responsibility of managing urban growth and controlling developments have
not been able to perform their duties effectively so as to manage the
urbanization. The result has been unsustainable urban growth not guided by
any means whatsoever leading to urban decay and environmental degradation.
This has manifested itself in the deplorable state of urban infrastructure and
services coupled with. the increase of unauthorized developments and the
inherently low levels of compliance with the requirements of plans and
policies.
The study aimed at looking at the development planning and development
control challenges facing satellite towns of Nairobi with Ruiru Municipality as
a case study. The research methodology employed included the use of primary
and secondary data. In the collection of data from the primary sources, both
structured and unstructured questionnaires were used. Other tools applied
included informal discussions, personal discussion, photography and traffic
count. Collected data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences. Analysed data is then presented using frequency tables, pie charts and
bargraphs
The study found out that development planning and development control are
totally non-existent in Ruiru Municipal Council. Developments supercede
planning. The Municipality does not provide any services and even municipal
council officials admitted that they have been overtaken by events.
The study also found that the various tools of development control are not
enforced. The Ruiru Municipal Council does not have a current local physical
development plan but has one that was prepared in 1978 which covers only
17% of the total municipal area. The council has not zoned this area at all. The
Physical Planning Act is not enforced. Ruiru Municipal Council is empowered
by law to prepare by-laws for its area but it has not done so. Instead, it has
adopted by-laws from the mother county council which are outdated, rural in
character and cannot serve a rapidly urbanizing like Ruiru Municipality. The
planning standards have been ignored totally and the building code adoptive
by-laws which the municipality uses have not been enforced.
The study further found out that the main development challenges facing the
municipality are a combination of many factors which include: existing legal
and institutional frameworks, administration and enforcement of the various
development control tools, lack of financial resources, land matters and rapid
urban growth and thus concludes that there is widespread lack of planning and
planning services are not highly regarded. Integrated regional planning for
metropolitan areas does not yet exist.
It is on this basis that the study recommends that to solve the problems of
urban sprawl, smart growth solutions should be adopted. To solve the problem
of urban land use planning, the study recommends preparation of local physical
development plans. Recommendation for the metropolitan influence include
integration of regional planning and formation of a metropolitan planning
organization. To deal with enforcement problem policies and laws must be
clearly stated so that there is little ambiguity in their enforcement, efficiency in
approval process, involving the local residents. There is need to train the local
authoriti,e.s to employ modem planning methods like the geographic
information systems and participatory planning approaches, privatization and
joint partnerships.
In conclusion development planning and development control challenges can
only be overcome by strict enforcement of the existing tools since they already
exist and this can only be done by strengthening the local authorities and we
can all enjoy sustainable urbanization. | en |
