An Investigation into Low Occupancy of Space in Mixed Use Commercial Buildings in Kampala’s CBD (A case of selected buildings along Kampala road)

Abstract

Kampala’s Central Business District (CBD) has various buildings undergoing construction annually. However, there is a problem of low occupancy of space in these buildings. While buildings have gotten, higher and use variety increased, sales strategies utilizing the built fabric have remained behind, simply stacking shops on top of others without considering issues of circulation, integration of uses, sustainability, to mention but a few which has led to massive buildings in Kampala with low occupancy. The main objective of this research was to investigate the cause of low occupancy of space in mixed-use commercial buildings in Kampala’s Central Business District. The Case Study Method was used to undertake the research, with specific buildings purposefully selected in Kampala’s Central Business District. Different data collection methods that included a review of literature, interviews and observations were utilized. Using two case studies located along Kampala road, i.e. Uganda House and Kampala Boulevard, the information obtained was processed to understand the needs of users of the space and how the activities in the buildings should complement each other. Ideas from literature and the understanding of the users of the space guided the researcher in giving recommendations for low space occupancy in the mixed use commercial buildings. Architecture alone does not solve the problem of low space occupancy. Therefore, it was important to obtain information from developers, planners, pedestrians as this all affects the occupancy of the building.