Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Urban Environmental Planning and Development Control of Medium Sized Towns in Kenya. A Case of Eldoret Municipality
by Job K. Ngetich, Grephas P. Opata and Leonard S. Mulongo

Abstract:
Kenya is urbanizing and is projected to be a predominantly urban country by 2033. Currently, about 30 percent of the population lives in urban areas. The share of the urban population is set to rise 37 percent by 2020, and in 2033, Kenya will reach an important milestone, when most of its population will live in urban areas. Eldoret is one of the Kenya's Medium sized towns in Kenya, which is experiencing rapid rate of urban growth. It has a population of 289,380 people and by 2030 it will be home to 584,782 people. This rapid urbanization will therefore need to be guided by effective urban development control instruments and practices important for sustainable urban livelihoods. The paper identifies and documents Urban development control instruments and practices, and determines their impacts on the urban environment. Urban development control in Eldoret is informed by both statutory and non-statutory instruments with Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011 being the principal instrument. The spatial pattern of Eldoret Municipality is closely knit with the type of plans which have been implemented over the years including, Physical development plans, Part development plans, Structure plans, Advisory plans, zoning plans and Subdivision plans. It is estimated that on average between 706 and 1000 building structures are generated per year such that by 2030, over 20,000 buildings will be expected to be built leading to land coverage of about 4km2 and its attendant environmental problems. The paper gives a framework for addressing environmental problems associated with urban development control in Eldoret Municipality.

Keywords: urban development, environmental planning, development control, physical development plans

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