The nature and determinants of residential mobility in Kisii town and its implications for housing policy

Abstract

The study is concerned with changes in residences by households that take place within an urban centre. Many of these relocations take place in the same neighbourhocd or on the same block. However, longer Moves determine most; of the growth or decline of population in different parts of the urban centre and virtually all the changes in relative income levels and social concentrations. This study has synthesized the subject under three headings. First, who moves? What are the social characteristics of the movers? Is it possible to predict the mobility rates for various categories of population? Second, why do they move? What socio-psychologicaI and economic factors cause a given household to move? Here the emphasis is on the decision making wait, the family (household). Finally the almost completely neglected question, but one of greatest concern to students of urban spatial structure; where do they move ? Are there spatial regularities in the relocation process ?: Residential mobility was categorized into two sections; the first one was concerned with aspects of the household's housing demand and sec o1dly, aspects of housing supplied in motivating residential mobility. Dividing the two groups of reasons behind residential mobility was not an easy task. Because the decision to move was determined by an amalgamation of factors. A household considering moving to a larger or smaller dwelling due to a change in its size, may do nothing about it until a change in the cost of travel to work tips the balance in favour of a move. Household characteristics and housing factors have been considered in determining the forces behind residential mobility, Chi-Square tests of the variables responsible for residential mobi Litv in Kisii urban centre indicates that both housing demand and supply factors have InfIuenced residential mobility. Analysis of variance indicates that there are no spatial variations in residential mob i l i tv between the three residential areas. It is apparent that virtually all the elements that enter into location decisions reflect individual decisions and evaluation of needs and opportunities, which are shaped in turn by the values and habits of various subcultures. Households with similar social characteristics but different lifestyles preferred widely different housing and neighbourhood conditions. Even such a basic eIement as size of house was perceived differently; some households preferred large units and others a small number of rooms. Location preferences were tied to the background or to the role aspirations of the household. Other important aspects of locational behaviour have been ignored in this study and will require investigation. For instance, the possibility of moving empIoyment location rather than residential location is one alternative available to an individual faced with ~increased transport costs, as is the possibility of changing to a cheaper mode of travel. A study of the probability of someone mak ing these choices rather than move residence could complement; an analysis of residential mobility based on demand and supply factors and provide a much greater understanding of the complex interaction involved in location decision making.