Making urban planning and development control instruments work for Kenyan cities : the case of the city of Eldoret

Abstract

Urbanization is a process of town formation and growth, which is occasioned by population increase, both natural and migratory, and spatial expansion of settlements to accommodate increasing population. Urbanization process is unstoppable, irreversible, and is taking place largely in developing world. In 2003 the global urban population was estimated to be at 3 billion, while half of the world population or 3.3 billion people lived in urban areas in 2008. This number is expected to rise to 5 billion by 2030, and 80% of these urban dwellers will live in towns and cities of the developing world. Kenya is rapidly urbanizing with about 30% of the population living in the urban areas. Every year more than 250,000 Kenyans are moving to urban areas and by 2030 half of the population will be urban. Effective Urban planning and development control instruments will therefore be needed to guide rapid urbanization. Urban planning and development control regulatory frameworks are important as they provide orderly land development which is essential for efficient and equitable growth of urban areas as well as facilitating efficient land management and environmentally sound use of land. Statutory and non-statutory instruments inform urban planning and development control practices in Kenya. The paper gives an assessment of the application of urban planning and development control instruments based on the research done in the City of Eldoret in Kenya and makes recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness.