The use and management of open spaces in unplanned low-income residential neighborhoods in Kampala: a case study of Naguru go-down.

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to investigate the use and management of open spaces in Naguru go-down residential neighborhood Kampala City. The study had the following specific objectives; To identify the categories of open spaces within Naguru go-down neighborhood, to examine the various uses of the available open spaces, to investigate the effects of the quality of open spaces on the well-being of the Naguru go-down community, and to suggest planning interventions that can be implemented to create safe and protected open spaces for the Naguru go-down residents. Primary and secondary data was acquired using both the quantitative and qualitative methodologies of research. Primary data was acquired through interviews, observation, surveying and mapping of sites, using questionnaires that were administered to 50 respondents. Secondary data was acquired from related reports and journals.Micro-soft excel and micro soft word were used for data analysis. Multiple responses and descriptive summaries for example frequency distributions were obtained and used to interpret the data collected in relation to research objectives. The research findings revealed that Naguru go down neighborhood had different categories of open spaces which were active, passive, green and non-green open spaces. The area of study had few public open spaces that support various community activities, such as sport facility that is to say jogging track, multi-purpose field, exercise instrument, wall climbing, kids’ playground and grass field for various recreation activities and some facilities like the public toilets. The findings also revealed that open spaces in Naguru go down did not satisfy and were not livable due to their state/condition. Given the above findings, the researcher suggested a number of recommendations to different stakeholders such as residents, political leaders and the Local Planning Authority.