A Structure plan for Kumi town, Uganda

Abstract

In Uganda Urban Centres play a vital role in the development of the country. They provide the highest category bf planned services and are therefore focal points for the provision of administrative commercial, industrial, social and recreational services for the benefit of the rural population which they serve. A part from serving current needs, the urban centres are supposed to anticipate the future needs of both the hinterland 'and the national economy as a whole. They receive rural migrants seeking employment and other benefits available there. These functions make it necessary for urban centres to be planned so that the growing resident population and the requirements of the hinterland can be adequately served. This study was prompted by the fact that Kumi town .. was in 1973 designated a District Headquarters. It had previously been a small town serving as a County Headquarters, and had not received much planning guidance.

As a District Administrative Centre, Kumi town has had its public sector expanded by the new government departments. The informal sector has also started to expand, creating pressure on existing community facilities. There is shortage of housing, office space and recreational facilities, to mention a few . • Private developers have invested in housing in a bid to satisfy the demand. However the developments are carried out in a haphazard manner, and the housing is sub-standard. Some industries are coming up, but these are located in wrong places because there is no land set aside for industrial use. Investors in hotel business and other commercial undertakings are not encouraged to do so due to lack of services like water and sewerage, and lack of plots that are serviced with roads and other infrastructure. These problems necessitate the provision of a structure plan that will facilitate and guide a new development. "This study therefore proposes such a structure plan.