Planning for Housing the Economically Weak Section of the Urban Population a Case Study of Selected Site and Service Schemes in Nairobi

Abstract

The provision of housing for low-income people is one of the major problems facing the local authorities in this country. Site and Service Scheme approach is being applied as a means of alleviating the shortage of housing in the low income bracket. Four problems concerning the administration of Site and Service Schemes policy are proposed by A.P. Van-Huyck. These are that, policy formulation and Program of the schemes follow an ad-hoc basis, that implementation of the program tends to proceed. in an UDCO Date and inefficient manner, that there is a problem of basic orientation to providing a high standard of physical development regardless of the economic status of the people to be housed and that there is a high degree ot central engagement am control. These problems have been looked at within the Kenyan context amnd have been found to be valid. However attempts are being made to reduce these problems. Apart from using Site and Service Sohemes for the guidance and control of urban growth through standardization of development procedures, the schemes, increase the accessibility of the residents to urban services. The schemes also serve as a big source of income for many plot holders. In Kenya Site and Service Schemes have not reached the stage of orientating housing agencies towards becoming self sustaining neither has the cooperation of community organization which exists in many squatter areas been enlisted. by the sanitation.