The causes and implications of Industrial sprawl outside gazetted industrial parks in Kampala metropolitan area: a case study of Jinja road Axis.

Abstract

Industrial sprawl imposes an enormous threat to the harmonious living in the residential neighbourhoods globally. The increase in the population growth rates especially in developing countries coupled with the rapid urbanisation and the desire to industrialise as viewed to be one of the indicators of economic prosperity have been the root cause of this evil. This study therefore was designed to analyse the causes of industrial sprawl, assess its implications and further come up with possible solutions to curb industrial sprawl within the study area. A cross sectional study design was used. The study was conducted along Jinja road axis. It involved interviewing 40 randomly and purposively selected residents and business operators in their respective categorise within the study area in December 2018. Various sampling procedures were used in getting the respondents. Time series analysis was employed to assess the extent of industrial sprawl in the study area. Data was collected, edited, coded and entered into EPI data. The data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0 computer program. The research found out that of the 40 people interviewed, 90% gave in their consent to the study. More than half (55%) of the respondents encountered problem resulting from industries in their residential neighbourhoods. The majority (33.33%) of the respondent appreciated pollution to be the major problem encountered. In conclusion, Industrial sprawl in the study area is more noteworthy in the areas of Namanve in Kira municipality and Banda in KCCA. With a more than double growth of industries after every five years and stretching up to an average of 1.7 kilometre away on both sides of the road within the study area unlike the 150 metres average distance away from Jinja road by 2005. With the National industrial policy (2008) as some of the key policies guiding industrial development within the country. It is recommended that there is a need to formulate a new industrial location policy for industrial development in the country borrowing a leaf from the existing industrial policies coupled with sensitisation of the general public about industrial development and policies composed some of the recommendations formulated by the researcher.