The Role of Community Land Trust in Optimizing Infrastructure Provision in Low-income Settlement; a Case of Tanzania-bondeni Community, Voi Town, Taita Taveta County, Kenya

Abstract

Land tenure’s role towards the provision and optimization of basic infrastructure in low-income settlements however critical has not been well documented. Tenure in informal settlements is quite complex and elusive which has had an impact towards the provision and optimization of infrastructure in low income settlements. Low income settlements under freehold tenure are often characterized with narrow access roads that do not meet the planning standards. Where these settlements are found on private tenure, it is usually difficult to optimize infrastructure as the owners find it hard to release land for infrastructure development. Despite increasing government initiatives to upgrade and improve informal settlements, the form of tenure always causes a hindrance as the dwellers often associate these improvements with demolitions of their structures. Also, most of these upgrading activities have often focused on individual titling yet this method has proven cumbersome, expensive and time consuming. Where individual titling has improved tenure security, it has often failed to ensure the provision of land for key infrastructural amenities. Despite the increasing recognition of community land trusts (CLTs) as an innovative form of tenure able to guarantee secure tenure, foster community participation and improve housing there remains a dearth of research examining its role on achieving infrastructure optimization in low-income settlements in Kenya. This study set out to examine the role that community land trusts play with regards to optimization of infrastructure in low-income settlements. The study employed a descriptive survey research design, utilizing self-administered questionnaires, key informant interviews, and analysis of project-related documents as the primary methods for data collection. The findings of the study indicated that the Community Land Trust (CLT) tenure model has contributed to the overall enhancement of infrastructure services in the Tanzania-Bondeni settlement scheme. Through CLT, the community was able to set aside land for communal water points, sanitation, educational and social facilities. The land allocated to serve as a market is still intact and fiercely guarded by the community form encroachment and land grabbing. The access roads measure between 9-12 metres unlike in other tenure whose roads measure between 3-6 metres. The findings suggest that despite the remaining challenges that face the CLT model such as weak management structure, lack of funding, poor waste management, the establishment of a CLT can help ensure that infrastructure projects are grounded in the needs and aspirations of the community, and that they contribute to the well-being of all residents. Community land trusts unlike other forms of tenure found within low income settlements has the ability to offer a socio-economic framework that enables gradual enhancements to infrastructure and building improvements.