Impacts Of Rapid Urbanization On Environmental Quality A Case Study Of Mbarara Municipality, Western Uganda.

ABSTRASCT

Urbanization in Mbarara is one of the most environmental management constraints and has

become so rapid especially in the last two decades. UrbaniLation refers to the increase in iL

number of people living or working in an area that changes it from the rural structure to town and

modern structure, it becomes “rapid urbanization” when it is occurring at a faster rate than before

and compared to other urban areas around the same region. This study focused on the impacts of

rapid urbanization on environmental quality in Mbarara municipality b~ idcntif~ ing th~ lactors

leading to rapid urbanization in Mbarara municipality, determining the effects of rapid

urbanization on environmental resources and finding out the conservation measures being used

to ensure better environmental quality. The study also determined the relationship between rapid

urbanization and environmental quality. It was conducted in all the three divisions of Kamukuvi.

Nyamitanga and Kakoba using Cluster and Judgmental sampling techniques. ‘l~he study found

out that: rapid urbanization in Mbarara has been influenced by many factors which include:

increased population, especially caused by rural urban influx, availability of natural resources

ike River Rwiizi and good pastures for grazing. strategic location along the high~va~

government policy and peace and security. Rapid urbanization has led to various effects on

environmental resources such as pollution, land degradation. soil erosion and floods, loss of

hi od i versity and ci imate change. The conservation measures implemented are; environmental

Ian’s and policies, construction of waste disposal sites, public awareness and participation.

planting trees and flowers, water treatment and regulation of rural urban influx. Environmental

impact Assessment. strengthening available laws and policies, capacity building and

multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches should be applied as suggested by the

respondents. Using spearman’s correlation statistical test it was concluded that therc is a slron~

negative correlation between rapid urbanization and environmental quality (r~ ~1. at p 0.05).

The study recommended extension of development projects even to rural areas, better urban

planning. and conservation projects like tree planting and implementation of environmental laws and policies.