The influence of highway construction on spatial settlement patterns a case study of settlements between Toll Plazas Mpala and Kajjansi along Entebbe expressway –Wakiso.
Abstract
An efficient highway system plays an important role in making travel easier and more
convenient. This is of greater assistance whether traveling for work or leisure as well as
transportation of goods. The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of
highway construction on spatial settlement patterns with the case study of the Entebbe
expressway and the settlements between the Kajjansi toll plaza These settlements include;
Kitende, Namulanda, Wamala, and Kitala. This study further assesses the characteristics of the
Entebbe expressway, examines the factors that influenced the spatial location of the Entebbe
expressway, assesses the implications of the Entebbe expressway on settlement patterns, and
lastly, formulates the possible solutions on how to control the implications. This study involved
the collection of data using the questionnaires which were distributed to the technocrats and
residents, a review of already existing relevant documents, observation, and photography. The
study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Descriptive statistics and Microsoft word
in assistance with GIS and Google Earth were used to analyze the qualitative data and
Microsoft Excel was used to analyze the quantitative data.
The study found that the Entebbe expressway scaled up residential development, and
contributed to higher housing rents, and an increase in land prices which has benefited the rich
who own land at the expense of the poor, gentrification leading to the displacement of poor
residents into the neighborhoods. This study therefore, recommended the preparation of a
physical development plan that would guide settlements before being developed by people, and
thereafter it concluded that there is a need to control and regulate new settlements to prevent
haphazard development which will be expensive to manage in the future