Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda

Abstract The increase in the levels of urbanization and congestion in cities like Mbale can be attributed to the lack of proper policies and planning to regulate or manage the socio-economic and environmental factors that otherwise exacerbate occurrence of slums. In this paper focus is drawn...

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Main Author: Mary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Utafiti Foundation 2023-04-01
Series:Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/161
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author Mary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana
author_facet Mary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana
author_sort Mary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The increase in the levels of urbanization and congestion in cities like Mbale can be attributed to the lack of proper policies and planning to regulate or manage the socio-economic and environmental factors that otherwise exacerbate occurrence of slums. In this paper focus is drawn on these factors which are thought to have largely influenced the formation of Namatala slum in Mbale Municipality. While this slum exhibits the challenges presented by typical most African slums, this study argues that linkages between the social, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of Namatala slum formed the basis of understanding the challenges particular to its populace. The study used mixed methods research design that entailed collection of data through household survey questionnaires, key stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions. The study established that Namatala is a significantly disadvantaged location, wrought with poverty, inadequate social amenities, poor housing, lack of solid waste management, lack of essential infrastructure, and inadequate access to clean water, safe sanitation facilities, and security of tenure. This problem can be attributed to a lack of place-specific policy implementation of the national policies and guidelines as well as lack of intervention by the government, inappropriate regulation, dysfunctional land markets, unresponsive financial systems, and a fundamental lack of political will.
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spelling doaj-art-daa6d4f3dec84a1b842fae51bc09a41f2025-08-20T02:39:28ZengUtafiti FoundationEastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences2958-45582023-04-012110.58721/eajhss.v1i1.161Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, UgandaMary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana0Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda Abstract The increase in the levels of urbanization and congestion in cities like Mbale can be attributed to the lack of proper policies and planning to regulate or manage the socio-economic and environmental factors that otherwise exacerbate occurrence of slums. In this paper focus is drawn on these factors which are thought to have largely influenced the formation of Namatala slum in Mbale Municipality. While this slum exhibits the challenges presented by typical most African slums, this study argues that linkages between the social, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of Namatala slum formed the basis of understanding the challenges particular to its populace. The study used mixed methods research design that entailed collection of data through household survey questionnaires, key stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions. The study established that Namatala is a significantly disadvantaged location, wrought with poverty, inadequate social amenities, poor housing, lack of solid waste management, lack of essential infrastructure, and inadequate access to clean water, safe sanitation facilities, and security of tenure. This problem can be attributed to a lack of place-specific policy implementation of the national policies and guidelines as well as lack of intervention by the government, inappropriate regulation, dysfunctional land markets, unresponsive financial systems, and a fundamental lack of political will. https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/161InfluenceEconomic factorsEnvironmental factorsNamatala slumSocial factorsUrbanization
spellingShingle Mary Nyanjuki Gichuki Manana
Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Influence
Economic factors
Environmental factors
Namatala slum
Social factors
Urbanization
title Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
title_full Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
title_fullStr Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
title_short Place Centered Social-Economic, Cultural and Environmental Influence in the Making of Namatala Slums in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
title_sort place centered social economic cultural and environmental influence in the making of namatala slums in mbale municipality uganda
topic Influence
Economic factors
Environmental factors
Namatala slum
Social factors
Urbanization
url https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/161
work_keys_str_mv AT marynyanjukigichukimanana placecenteredsocialeconomicculturalandenvironmentalinfluenceinthemakingofnamatalaslumsinmbalemunicipalityuganda