Planning for Housing the Economically Weak Section of the Urban Population a Case Study of Selected Site and Service Schemes in Nairobi
Abstract
The provision of housing for low-income people is one
of the major problems facing the local authorities in this country.
Site and Service Scheme approach is being applied as a means of
alleviating the shortage of housing in the low income bracket.
Four problems concerning the administration of Site and
Service Schemes policy are proposed by A.P. Van-Huyck. These
are that, policy formulation and Program of the schemes follow
an ad-hoc basis, that implementation of the program tends to
proceed. in an UDCO Date and inefficient manner, that there
is a problem of basic orientation to providing a high standard
of physical development regardless of the economic status of
the people to be housed and that there is a high degree ot
central engagement am control. These problems have been
looked at within the Kenyan context amnd have been found to be
valid. However attempts are being made to reduce these
problems.
Apart from using Site and Service Sohemes for the guidance
and control of urban growth through standardization of development
procedures, the schemes, increase the accessibility of the
residents to urban services. The schemes also serve as a big
source of income for many plot holders.
In Kenya Site and Service Schemes have not reached the
stage of orientating housing agencies towards becoming self
sustaining neither has the cooperation of community organization
which exists in many squatter areas been enlisted. by the
sanitation.