The influence of physical development plans on the urban structure of Masindi municipality a case of Kirasa 11 cell.
Abstract
A Physical development plan deals with spatial aspects of social, and economic development, and as such it's prepared to promote the orderly development of urban centers. Physical development plans are very key in influencing the spatial arrangement of land uses in urban areas commonly referred to as the Urban structure. An urban structure is described by five physical elements that are edges, nodes, paths, districts, and landmarks that form a city and these give a mental representation of a city or an urban center. The research was aimed at understanding the influence of physical development plans on the urban structure of Masindi Municipality a case of Kirasa II cell. . It was specifically intended to examine the urban structure of Kirasa II cell, to assess the implementation of the detailed physical development plan and its influence on the urban structure of Kirasa II cell, to investigate challenges that have influenced the urban structure of Kirasa II cell and to suggest possible solutions to the challenges of associated with implementing of Kirasa II cell detailed plan.
The research study used a descriptive study design approach which was qualitative and quantitative to gather information. Different techniques were employed for purposes of exhaustive data collection and various methodologies and tools/instruments were used. The following methods were used during data collection; Transect walk, Mapping, Observation, Questionnaire administration, Photography, Interviews, and Review of existing data. The tools used include Satellite image, questionnaires, notebook, pen, pencil, camera, Observation guide, Field guide, an interview guide, the detailed plan report (2013-2018), Journals.
Qualitative data analysis involved the use of questionnaires to data collected from the field and the use of code sheets in the SPSS program and excel to provide an easy interpretation of the respondents. Tables and graphs for qualitative data provided for the study to better understand the statistical representations of the data to be collected.
Observation revealed that the planned land use activities are due to the availability of the detailed plan of the cell and the unplanned land use activities are due to uncontrolled development by the Municipality leading to illegal developments due to weak enforcement. People develop without conforming to the detailed plan due to Limited awareness about the importance of the detailed plan by the community.
However, Continuous sensitization of the community about the physical planning and the importance of the detailed plan should be done. Masindi municipal council should improve enforcement on illegal developers who construct without permission and the Municipal council should continue monitoring to ensure the implementation of the plan as per the desired objectives.