A framework for improvement of informal settlements in Kampala City, Uganda

Abstract

In today’s world, informal settlements are fast emerging and remain one of the massive challenges to sustainable urban development and prosperity. Efforts to drive Uganda’s vision 2040 are driving rapid urbanization in Kampala City. Consequently, several people will continue to flock to the city due to the multiple benefits related to urbanization. This study, therefore, focused on the drivers for informal settlements, challenges in the informal settlements, and how to improve the living conditions in the informal settlements in Kampala City. The study adopted three research designs cross-sectional, descriptive, and interpretive research designs, accompanied by the quantitative data collection approach. A total of 120 household heads were the respondents in this study, from the informal settlements of Bwaise, Kamwokya, Katanga, Naguru, Namuwongo, and Wabigalo. The study revealed the availability of job opportunities, availability of better social services, family issues, sufficient security and safety, social/peer pressure, and better living conditions as factors contributing to the migration into the city. However, the core factors for settling in informal settlements are family attachment, low costs of housing, proximate to the workplace, easy access to the central business district, access to education services, access to health services, and low income. Living in informal settlements is challenging as there are problems that exist in informal settlements. These included poor waste management, unemployment, insecurity, lack of toilet facilities, disease epidemics, natural disasters, unsafe drinking water, poor health facilities, limited road infrastructures, limited access to basic education, congestion/ over population, and limited sources of energy. The study is to find a solution and further know that there have beenconsiderable efforts by the development stakeholders in the urban development spaceto address some of these challenges. Some of the challenges addressed include waste management, insecurity, lack of toilet facilities, unsafe drinking waters, and poor health facilities. The possible interventions for addressing the problems included cleaning water drainage channels, job creation, improving education services, and construction of toilet facilities. The study recommends mediation approaches initiating the further development of informal settlements by considering the issue of these settlements at the city level where their acknowledgement is significant.