Urban planning practices and environmental sustainability in Uganda, case study of Kiira municipality-Wakiso district

Abstract

The study was about assessing the influence of urban planning practices on environmental sustainability in Uganda focusing on Kiira Municipality-Wakiso District as a case study. The study was guided by three objectives i)To examine the influence of budget allocation on environmental sustainability in Kiira Municipality, ii) to examine the influence of urban development plans on environmental sustainability in Kiira Municipality, iii) to analyze the impact of urban infrastructure planning on environmental sustainability in Kiira Municipality. The study adopted a case study design; the data was categorized under both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population was 191 and a sample size of 129 respondents of which only 101 participated. Field results indicated that 72.2% agreed that environmental sustainability projects are delayed due to limited budget allocations while minority 10.9% of strongly disagreed and 9.9% disagreed; however, despite the difference in respondents’ responses, it can be concluded that insufficient funding remains a constraint affecting the timely implementation of environmental initiatives in Kiira Municipality. Results also revealed that 19.8% strongly disagreed, 15.8% disagreed, 11.9% were not sure, and 23.8% agreed while 28.7% strongly agreed respectively with the statement that the current urban development plans in Kiira consider the protection of environment. The results show that majority of the respondents generally agreed to the statement that drainage and storm water systems are designed to minimize flooding and water pollution, this was presented by 32.7% who strongly agreed and 21.8% who agreed respectively. Also 16.8% strongly disagreed, 13.9% disagreed, while 14.9% were not sure. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that budget allocation influences the implementation and effectiveness of environmental sustainability in Kiira Municipality. Although, limited financial resources have led to delays in executing key environmental projects, environmental concerns are overshadowed by infrastructure development in budget priorities. The study recommended that the Municipal Council should allocate a defined percentage of its local revenue and central government transfers specifically for environmental sustainability programs such as waste management, afforestation and wetland restoration. This can be achieved by ring-fencing environmental budget lines in annual planning frameworks.