An Analysis of the functional structure of Migori town

Abstract

The service and growth centres policy was officially adopted in the planning realm of Kenya in 1978 following a study done by the Physical Planning Department. Migori town was designated as an urban centre then. According to the study an urban centre was described as a single settlement which had over two thousand people besides having specialised services, including commercial, industrial, administrative, recreational and social services, a fully equipped hospital, secondary school, a treated

piped water supply and disposal. However since some of these towns were designated as urban centres some of those services are either still lacking or in short supply. In Migori town, for example, there is no disposal plant while treated piped water, recreational and social services and many others are inadequate. This study has analysed and assessed the levels of these services in the town, their adequacy and efficiency and has gone on to give the necessary recommendations which would make those services more effective. This study has attempted to analyse the facilities and services available- in the town which enables it to serve both its residents and those who live in its hinterland.

The services offered to the residents of the town have been referred to as internal functions, those that are extended beyond its boundary have been referred to as external functions. Both the internal and external functions of the town form its functional structure. In assessing the functional structure of Migori town, both the town and the hinterland have been considered as interdependent parts. In this study, therefore, any proposal made to introduce or improve a service in the town has been closely related to the conditions in the hinterland.