Some environmental problems related to urban sprawl in Southern Kasarani Division, Nairobi City: a planning perspective.

Abstract

Urbanisation as a process has been accelerated due to the rural to urban migration and natural increase in populationas this leads to increase in population growth of urban centres. The population increase creates demand for urban prime land leading to environmental problems related to urban sprawl. This study investigated the status of the environment for the period, 1960 to 1993 and the nature extent and intensity of urban sprawl in Southern Kasarani Division, Nairobi City. Using Regression Analysis to determine the rate of change in land cover/land use, the results indicated that about 52.76 hectares of the natural environment are being transformed to the built environment every year in the total area of 55 Km2 for the study area. Secondly, this study identified and examined some environmental problems related to urban sprawl, namely loss of biodiversity, loss of agricultural land, damage of water quality, settlements on marginal sites (flood-prone areas, quarries, wetland), and overcrowding. Using Spearman-Rank Correlation the results indicated that there are discernible differences in overcrowding between the planned and unplanned settlements. The study also examined various planning modes that have facilitated urban sprawl, thus indicating that most of the proposals made in the plans were overtaken by events hence resulting into environmental problems related to urban sprawl, the study proposed a framework of preparing an environmental plan for the study area. The methods of data collection for the study involved, primary data collection, namely; use of questionnaires, interviews, field survey and taking of photographs. Secondary data sources involved use of information from available literature, maps, aerial photographs and physical development plans. In an attempt to prepare an environmental plan, the study recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive land-use management strategy which would incorporate environmental concerns in urban development for which a sustainable urban development would be realised.