Urban Greening Challenges in Kampala City.
Abstract
Urban green parks, composed of open green space and recreation grounds, tree lined avenues
play a major role in improving the health and well-being of population in cities and towns.
However, with rapid population growth and property development not conforming to plan, a
number of public parks have been encroached on by private developers. Unless strong action is
taken, public open spaces in Uganda’s urban areas are in danger of extinction. This study focuses
on the situation in the nation’s capital, Kampala central business district and the challenges faced
by green spaces.
The population of Kampala Metropolitan Area is currently estimated at three million and is
projected to grow to five million in the next ten years. Early in 2013, Kampala City Capital
Authority (KCCA) commenced a drive to recover and rehabilitate public green and open spaces
in the city. The new physical plan for Kampala maps out public green and open spaces in the
wider Kampala metropolitan area. In November 2013, KCCA repossessed the Sheraton Hotel
Gardens and plans to improve and revert it to public use as an open park. The KCCA also plans
to recover from private developers another three gazeted public parks close to the city Centre
including Centenary Park, Wandegeya and Kamwokya Children’s public parks. But while these
efforts are commendable, there are a number of challenges that will be discussed below that is
because of the growing population whereby the built-up places have covered the green spaces.
The gazeted parks in the inner city, which are the primary focus, were set up in the early 19th
century when there were vastly fewer residents in the city, and can best be described as “pocket
parks” because of their small size. Information on about whether these small parks adequately
serve the rapidly growing city and population is lacking. The problem is further compounded by
a lack of understanding of park availability in the outer divisions, especially where low-income
people reside. A clear, common understanding of the purpose of urban public parks has yet to
emerge in public discussions. Parks are largely viewed as places for children to play, adults to sit
or lie down to relax, and beautification spots for the city. While this could be attributed to the
focus on old small parks, it is not clear how the wetlands planned for parks are will be used to
preserve biodiversity, reduce air pollution and provide recreation and physical activities for
children, adolescents and adults.