The impact of real estate developments on land values and social service provision

Abstract

The study is focused on a real estate development located along Entebbe road- Bwebajja and it will cover the whole estate. The primary reason for conducting the research on Entebbe road is because it is one of the areas meant to decongest the Central Business District and enhance trade movement through, within and out of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, with the specific objectives; to establish the extent to which Real Estate Development has influenced land values in the area of study, to establish the relationship between Real Estate Development and Physical Planning guidelines and to identify how Real Estate Development has facilitated the distribution of social services in the area of study. The research obtained information from different stakeholders that were directly involved or affected by Real Estate Development. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Primary data was collected directly using the questionnaire, observation and interview guides. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of Real Estate Developments on land values and housing costs in Akright Real Estate Bwebajja. During the study, estate residents, local leaders, estate developers, Local Government Officials and ministry officials were interviewed. Research findings indicate that majority of the respondents agreed that Real Estate Development had influenced land values in the area. In this study the majority of the respondents indicated that housing developments in the estates had been guided by physical planning guidelines. It was noted that physical planning is of great significance in promoting organised human settlements. In addition, the estate has access to roads, which were opened, security is provided in the estate to protect the lives of the people and their properties, collection points for solid waste management were also put in place. Most of these services are benefits from estate development. All in all, since Real Estate Development is still a relatively new event in Uganda, it is hoped that the provision of social services, physical planning within and around the estate will continue to improve these areas. The study recommended the promotion of pro-poor planning as a means of poverty reduction, inclusion of the poor, marginalized groups and to achieve a gender balanced approach in 12 development. The central government should take the responsibility of drafting plans for all areas so as to enable the estate developers to develop in consideration of the National Development Plan. There is need for promoting of master plan preparation to act as a guiding tool for land subdivision which has to be approved by the respective planning authorities both for local and central government. The residents as well should take an initiative to utilize the availed facilities and services as required in order to put the services provided by the Estate developers to proper use so as to fully benefit from them. The study concluded that physical planning is of great significance in promoting organised human settlements. The study indicates that several social services/facilities like education facilities, water, health centres, electricity and recreational facilities have been established in the facilities. In addition, the estate has access to roads, which were opened, security is provided in the estate to protect the lives of the people and their properties, collection points for solid waste management were also put in place. Most of these services are benefits from estate development. All in all, since Real Estate Development is still a relatively new event in Uganda, it is hoped that the provision of social services, physical planning within and around the estate will continue to improve these areas