The Quality Of An Urban Residential Neighbourhood

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research assesses the quality of an urban residential neighbourhood. This study aims to assess the status of quality in Umoja 1 estate. The premise guiding the study is that the quality of an urban environment is of essence to the residents, but the criterion is; analyzing the level of quality in Umoja 1 Estate. This had not been addressed by scholars, therefore, is a need for an appropriate methodological approach for managing urban residential neighbourhoods to maintain and enhance their quality of life. The research commences by conducting a thorough literature review on definitional, conceptual and theoretical perspectives that constitutes urban quality in the context of a residential neighbourhood. It reviews best practices for enhancing quality in urban residential neighbourhoods. A conceptual framework was then developed and used to create instruments for measuring quality in Umoja 1 Estate, from the residents’ perspective. The key findings were that the physical and social infrastructure, economic vibrance, institutions and stakeholder participation, contribute the quality of an urban residential neighbourhood. The criteria for measuring quality included collection of primary and Secondary data. Secondary data was obtained from a review of past literature from libraries, resource centers, government agencies and the internet. Primary data was obtained by administration of household questionnaires, holding face-to-face interviews and use of an observation checklist. A sample of the research population were obtained through random cluster sampling. The unit of observation included the target group and all the spatial aspects of the quality in a residential neighbourhood. The population consisted of all the stakeholders, institutional, governmental, non-governmental and all the residents of Umoja 1 Estate. The empirical data was analyzed using spatial analysis, descriptive analysis and basic computation using SPSS and MS-Excel. The study findings show that socio-economic pressure has led to intensive urban densification, which leads to immense pressure on the existing infrastructure and deteriorating conditions of the transportation system, the sewerage system and supply of water. The study has established that the twin problems of socio-economic pressure and urban densification have compromised the environmental and physical quality due to loss of open spaces and an incommensurate increase in the social infrastructure. The study has established that this lowered quality of the neighbourhood character is attributable to non-compliance with development control regulations. The study concludes with the key recommendation of enhancing the quality by formulating an integrated development strategy that entails a public participatory urban renewal approach that is geared towards improving the physical, environmental, economic, institutional and social quality of Umoja I Estate.