Urban environment management vol 1

Abstract

The dawn of the last decade of the twentieth century finds the Central and Eastern African sub region at the verge of a transformation; of its political and socioeconomic structures. Almost every country in the legion -is now involved in the process effective systematic political and economic changes. At the same time, the aftermaths of an economic crisis which persisted throughout the previous decade are becoming more evident as they threaten the sustenance of social fabric. The standards of public services such as education, health, water, infrastructure etc. are falling below -the levels enjoyed by the citizens in the 1970s .Stren, 1989). Urban centres seem to be at the confluence of these dynamics. On the one hand, they have not yet recovered from the negative impact of economic crisis and administrative neglect of the previous decade and, on the other hand, they have now to accommodate the structural changes which (ire attaining their full momentum during the 1990s. The consequences of these changes tend to weig h heavily on the cities and towns of the subregion. Tl.e pressure exerted by these forces is of such magnitude that if it is not contained immediately it may undermine the total capacity of the subrezion to cope WIth the broader challenges of the 21 st century. The above predicament elevates the subject of urbanisation together with related issues or providing infrastructure and services to become a top priority :~.;,ue in the development of the subregion. One such important issue is W2.~:e management in the urban areas. It becomes necessary for scholars and practitioners in the field to reexamine the content and evaluate the existing knowledge of urban phenomenon in the sub region. This involves taking stock of how much is known, identifying prevailing gaps and lacunae, and charting out a new direction for future inquiry and solution proposals to avert the crisis.