Assessing the effect of industrial parks on human settlement in the area; Case study Kampala Industrial and Business Park

Abstract

Today, industry plays a pivotal role in development of a region, particularly development of poor areas. The important role may be resulted from the fact that production factors in industry sector compared with agriculture sector are more flexible relative to environmental-regional and national circumstances. Therefore, one of the strategies in development of rural settlements is to industrialize them by creation of industrial parks and areas in their vicinity. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of industrial parks on human settlement in the area. Specifically, I investigated Kampala Industrial and Business Park, Namanve and the influence of human settlements around the industrial parks was measured using the following factors: job availability, access to infrastructure and basic services, investment opportunities, and providing accommodation for the growing population. Primary data was used in this study, and it was collected through questionnaires from 60 respondents which were physically administered by the researcher in the areas of Kiwanga and Nantabulirwa that are adjacent to the industrial park. Methodology This research is performed in a literature and survey method. The researcher used questionnaires and face-to-face interviews as tools for data collection. They were administered to the residents of Kiwanga and Nantabulirwa and this data was analysed using SPSS and Microsoft excel to give meaning to the data collected. The reliability of the tool was tested using pretesting of the questionnaires administered to colleagues to see if the questions are relevant to the study and will help the researcher achieve the said objectives. Results and discussion The researcher was able to assess the effects of industrial parks on human settlement in areas within proximity to the park. This was achieved through the set specific objectives all trying to answer the main objective and it was realized that these industrial parks have both positive and negative impacts on human settlement in the area as discussed in the report below. Conclusion The research discusses the findings and measures that should be taken to curb the challenges of applying physical planning regulations in the areas within proximity to the industrial parks. The concept of industrial parks is a good one as it promotes development of in the country, but they should be highly monitored and regulated as in other countries like South Africa at the Limpopo Eco- Industrial Park situated north tip of the Limpopo Province an area commonly referred to as the gateway into Africa. This is needed to ensure compliance of the set regulations to make sure that there is co-existence of both human settlement and industrial parks.