Physical land suitability evaluation for urban developmelnt in are fringe of Nakuru municipality

Abstract

The land around Nakuru town is coming under pressure for urban development. "Much of the urban expansion has taken place on environmentally sensitive areas. I The purpose of this study was to assess the physical land and related resources in order to determine urban land use strategies for directing future growth to the most appropriate, ' places. Data was compiled from field surveys, interpretation of aerial photography, existing reports and maps. From these inventories, the area was divided into 11 uniform land units in . which opportunities and constraints for urban development were identified. Lind suitability classification for general urbanization was based on: slope, soil depth, existing soil erosion, surface stones, agroecological potential, land subsidence hazards, sensitivity of the watershed, density of surface drainage channels and depth to ground water. Suitability asses~ment indicated that 54 per cent of the region is unsuitable for urbanization. The remaining land is only marginally or moderately suitable. The most limiting physical land factors include: unstable soils, land subsidence hazards, sensitive watershed \ and ground water- recharge areas and conflicts with wildlife conservation. Results are compared to the current land use pattems and trends and aspirations of the local people to derive land use planning guidelines for the region suggestions are made for strategies to implement rational land use planning in order t? maintain a balance between urban development and environmental conservation. The study concludes that land suitability evaluation has important role to play in urban land use planning process but required further research