Department of Urban & Regional Planning

Perspectives on plastic waste management: challenges and possible solutions to ensure its sustainable use

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Perspectives on plastic waste management: challenges and possible solutions to ensure its sustainable use Afonso D Macheca, Bridget Mutuma, José L Adalima, Emmanuel Midheme, Luís HM Lúcas, Valentine K Ochanda, Sabelo Dalton Mhlanga The pollution of the environment by plastics is a global problem that is real and needs to be resolved urgently. The authors argue that banning the use of plastic is not a reasonable and rational solution for the problem because plastics have many useful applications. Solutions to the problem must involve developing scientific approaches as well as global efforts and strategies. The world’s approach needs to be guided by an economic model that eliminates or minimizes the amount of plastics in the waste stream. As long as most plastic materials are not made from a single polymer, then the idea of “recycling 100% of plastics” is so far an unrealistic solution. The development of biodegradable plastics is still far from being an effective solution because besides being expensive and having limitations in engineering applications when compared to petroleum-based ones, biodegradable plastics still require specific conditions for their biodegradation. Comprehensive studies on microplastic particles are needed, focusing mainly on the source of the particles, their distribution, transport, fate in different environments, and toxicological effects and mechanisms. Since plastic pollution is a global problem, its minimization will require an increased international cooperation platform and partnerships at a global level. While current technologies and strategies are not solving the environmental problem caused by waste plastic, the most effective solution would be to adopt the first two levels of the waste management hierarchy, which are “reduce” and “reuse”.

The soil microbiomes of forest ecosystems in Kenya: their diversity and environmental drivers

Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The soil microbiomes of forest ecosystems in Kenya: their diversity and environmental drivers Lorine Akinyi Onyango, Florence Atieno Ngonga, Edward Nderitu Karanja, Josiah Ochieng’ Kuja, Hamadi Iddi Boga, Don A Cowan, Kennedy Wanjau Mwangi, Marianne Wughanga Maghenda, Pedro Bixirao Neto Marinho Lebre, Anne Kelly Kambura Soil microbiomes in forest ecosystems act as both nutrient sources and sinks through a range of processes including organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and humic compound incorporation into the soil. Most forest soil microbial diversity studies have been performed in the northern hemisphere, and very little has been done in forests within African continent. This study examined the composition, diversity and distribution of prokaryotes in Kenyan forests top soils using amplicon sequencing of V4-V5 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Additionally, soil physicochemical characteristics were measured to identify abiotic drivers of prokaryotic distribution. Different forest soils were found to have statistically distinct microbiome compositions, with Proteobacteria and Crenarchaeota taxa being the most differentially abundant across regions within bacterial and archaeal phyla, respectively. Key bacterial community drivers included pH, Ca, K, Fe, and total N while archaeal diversity was shaped by Na, pH, Ca, total P and total N. To contextualize the prokaryote diversity of Kenyan forest soils on a global scale, the sample set was compared to amplicon data obtained from forest biomes across the globe; displaying them to harbor distinct microbiomes with an over-representation of uncultured taxa such as TK-10 and Ellin6067 genera.

The soil microbiomes of forest ecosystems in Kenya: their diversity and environmental drivers

Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing the Influence of the Community Leadership in Monitoring and Evaluating Community Safety in Lamu West Sub-County, Kenya

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing the Influence of the Community Leadership in Monitoring and Evaluating Community Safety in Lamu West Sub-County, Kenya Madoya Micah , George Wagah , Isabella Asamba Despite the fact that community leadership as a key community policing element has been mentioned as a factor influencing monitoring and evaluation of community safety, there is limited research to ascertain this in Lamu West Sub County. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of community leadership in monitoring and evaluating community safety in Lamu West Sub-County. The study adopted quantitative design where data was collected from a sample of 405 respondents drawn from 32,873 of Lamu West Sub-County residents with the aid of a questionnaire. Correlation and regression analyses were adopted in data analysis to help in establishing the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The findings of this study demonstrated that there was statistically positive relationship between community leadership and monitoring and evaluating of community safety at (β=0.106; p<0.05). The study concludes that community leadership significantly influences monitoring and evaluating community safety. the study recommends that effective collaborations between law enforcement and community stakeholders are critical to public safety, and it's critical that government agencies, community organizations, nonprofits, companies, and private citizens all see public safety as a shared duty. It is recommended that community leadership should be people centered in order to enhance accountability that seeks to promote community safety. There is need for more involvement of all key stakeholders in maintaining security. The government agencies in charge of community policing should consider ensuring that community leaders have the skills and competency of resolving security matters DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra12229

Assessing community perception of post-mine brownfield’s effects on the physical environment in Kisumu, Kenya

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing community perception of post-mine brownfield’s effects on the physical environment in Kisumu, Kenya K’oyoo Edwin Oluoch, Onyango Leah, Midheme Emmanuel Urban development has overtime spread into areas where mining/quarrying activities were once carried out. This has resulted into presence of degraded landscapes referred to as post-mine brownfields within the urban landscape. Brownfields constitute a poor fit into the urban realm and are considered as problem spaces. They are a safety concern due to crime and hazards associated with abandoned sites. They also take up vital urban land that could be used more productively, besides not being aesthetically appealing to residents of the neighborhoods. While there is need to rehabilitate Kisumu’s brownfields into more productive urban land uses, public perception of the effects of these sites on the living environment is not clearly understood. In accordance, this study postulates that rehabilitation of post-mine brownfields lies in understanding the effects they pose within the neighborhoods they are found in and which should not be neglected. The purpose of this paper was to assess the public perception of the effects of post-mine brownfields on the physical environment in Kisumu. Cross sectional research design was used, with the unit of analysis being the brownfields and households living within a 500-metre radius of each brownfield site. A total of 96 willing participants selected randomly were involved in the survey within four brownfield neighborhoods that were purposively selected in the study due to long history on quarrying thus resulting into post-mine brownfields. The survey used questionnaires and the findings were analyzed using percentages and presented in tables. The study found out that the post-mine brownfields were characterized by waterlogging and illegal dumping of wastes, which presented health hazards within the residential neighborhoods they were sited in. Since the sites are currently used as illegal dumpsites, the study recommends that alternative waste management practices would need to be planned for. The findings should inform both policy and practice on the rehabilitation of post-mine brownfields in Kisumu City.

Assessing the influence of community partnership In monitoring and evaluating community safety in Lamu west sub-county

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing the influence of community partnership In monitoring and evaluating community safety in Lamu west sub-county Madoya Micah, George Wagah, Isabella Asamba Though community policing elements such as community partnership have been mentioned as possible CP elements that can influence monitoring and evaluation of community safety, there is limited research to ascertain this in LamuWest Sub County. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of community partnership in monitoring and evaluating community safety in Lamu West Sub-County. The study adopted quantitative design where data was collected from a sample of 405 respondents drawn from 32,873 of Lamu West Sub-County residents with the aid of a questionnaire.Correlation and regression analyses were adopted in data analysis to help in establishing the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Thefindings of this study demonstrated that there was statistically positive relationship between community partnership and in monitoring and evaluating community safety in Lamu West Sub-County at (β=0.619; p<0.05). The study found that community has been inthe forefront of collaborating with the police. The study also shows that there was need for a partnership between police and thecommunity for a sustained peace and harmony in the society. Majority of respondents agreed that partnering with the police has enabled easy identification of criminal activities.The study concludes that community partnership significantly influences monitoring and evaluating community safety. The study recommends that effective collaborations between law enforcement and community stakeholders are critical to public safety, and it's critical that government agencies, community organizations, nonprofits, companies, and private citizens all see public safety as a shared duty. There is need for more involvement of all key stakeholders in maintaining security DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra12171

Assessing effect of community problem solving on evaluation of community safety in Lamu West sub-county, Kenya

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Assessing effect of community problem solving on evaluation of community safety in Lamu West sub-county, Kenya Madoya Micah , George Wagah, Isabella Asamba Even though community policing elements such as community problem solving have been mentioned as a possible factor influencing monitoring and evaluation of community safety, there is limited research to ascertain this in Lamu West Sub County. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of community problem solving on evaluation of community safety in Lamu West Sub-County. The study adopted quantitative design where data was collected from a sample of 405 respondents drawn from 32,873 of Lamu West Sub-County residents with the aid of a questionnaire. Correlation and regression analyses were adopted in data analysis to help in establishing the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The findings of this study demonstrated that there was statistically significant positive relationship between community problem solving and monitoring and evaluating community safety (β=0.634; p<0.05). The study found that aspects such as consultation, participation, engagement, professionalism, problem identification, proactive problem solving and mediation improves community safety. It is recommended that community problem solving should be strengthened because it builds trust, enhances information flow, and leads to the discovery of new areas where the police and the community may work together. Finally, community leadership should be people centered in order to enhance accountability that seeks to promote community safety. The study concluded that community problem solving significantly influence monitoring and evaluating community safety The study recommends that effective collaborations between law enforcement and community stakeholders are critical to public safety, and it's critical that government agencies, community organizations, nonprofits, companies, and private citizens all see public safety as a shared duty. Community leadership should be people centered in order to enhance accountability that seeks to promote community safety DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra12170

Legal and policy framework affecting the development of a market in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Thu, 01 Jan 0011 00:00:00 GMT

Legal and policy framework affecting the development of a market in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya Kamwele, H.W., Wagah, G.G., Onyango, G.M. & Nyström, M. Globally the UN Development Program estimates that 800 million people are involved in urban farming worldwide. Of these, 200 million produce food primarily for the market, providing 15 to 20 percent of the world’s food. But the majority raises food for their own families. With the increase in urban poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition in urban areas due to increasing urbanization, many citizens have turned to urban agriculture as a livelihood strategy and source of income for a substantial number of urban households. However, many urban farmers operate without formal recognition of their main livelihood activity and lack the structural support of proper municipal policies and legislation. Contradictions exist between legislation, policy and actual practice. This paper examines legal and policy framework affecting development of urban agriculture. Using Eldoret Municipality case study, purposive sampling was employed and targeted Land Use Policy of 2009, Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011, Physical Planning Act Cap 286, Public Health Act Cap 242, Environment Act, Agriculture Act Cap 318, Local Government Act Cap 265 and Eldoret Municipal Bylaws. Key informant interviews were conducted with top government officials of the Ministries of Lands, Public Health, Local Government, Environment, and Agriculture, Eldoret Municipal Authority and Physical Planning Department. Data was analyzed by reviewing the contents, identifying contradictions between the laws and describing them as correctly as possible in finding out how the existing policies and acts have affected the development of urban agriculture According to the national legislation in Kenya, urban agriculture can be forbidden, restricted, allowed, controlled, facilitated or even promoted as expressed in the various policies and acts.. But there is no specific policy on urban agriculture. Eldoret Municipality recognizes the importance of urban farming as an important livelihood component, by tolerating the practice though it is illegal. But the translation of this awareness into a formal recognition in by-laws and ordinances has not been done. The study recommends that policy on Urban Agriculture should be enacted and the Physical Planning Act Cap 286 revised and municipal by laws harmonized in line with Urban Areas and Cities act 2011, and the New Land Policy(2009) to legalize the activity to enable maximum realization of its benefits and ensure sustainable land use management. The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.mistraurbanfutures.org/en/publication/legal-and-policy-framework-affecting-development-market-eldoret-municipality-kenya

Spatial Location Factors Affecting the Integration of Urban Agriculture into Land Use Planning of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Spatial Location Factors Affecting the Integration of Urban Agriculture into Land Use Planning of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya Kamwele Hellen W, George M Onyango, George G Wagah Urban agriculture is an activity being practiced globally in it as a survival strategy. The question of organized urban land use has therefore become critical. The purpose of this study is to examine spatial location factors affecting the integration of UA into land use planning. The study found out that availability of land, physical access, affordability of land, security, convenience, security of tenure, and proximity to production site and market affected the integration of UA into land use planning. The spatial location factors are critical for successful integration of UA into land use planning and should be considered during planning phase. A model of multifunctional land use is the most viable while embracing innovative ways of farming. This knowledge will help towards better understanding spatial land use planning and urban agriculture practices, by the County Governments of Kenya. This would lead to optimal and sustainable use of land while empowering citizens.

Application of GIS in Agriculture in Promoting Evidence-Informed Decision Making for Improving Agriculture Sustainability: A Systematic Review

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Application of GIS in Agriculture in Promoting Evidence-Informed Decision Making for Improving Agriculture Sustainability: A Systematic Review Mwehe Mathenge, Ben GJS Sonneveld, Jacqueline EW Broerse The objective of this review was to synthesize existing evidence on GIS and RS application in agriculture in enhancing evidence-informed policy and practice for improving agriculture sustainability and identifying obstacles to their application, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Systematic searches were conducted in the databases SCOPUS, Web of Science, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, COnnecting REpositories (CORE), and Google Scholar. We identified 2113 articles published between 2010–2021, out of which 40 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results show that GIS technology application in agriculture has gained prominence in the last decade, with 66% of selected papers being published in the last six years. The main GIS application areas identified included: crop yield estimation, soil fertility assessment, cropping patterns monitoring, drought assessment, pest and crop disease detection and management, precision agriculture, and fertilizer and weed management. GIS technology has the potential to enhance agriculture sustainability through integrating the spatial dimension of agriculture into agriculture policies. In addition, GIS potential in promoting evidenced informed decision making is growing. There is, however, a big gap in GIS application in sub-Saharan Africa, with only one paper originating from this region. With the growing threat of climate change to agriculture and food security, there is an increased need for the integration of GIS in policy and decision making in improving agriculture sustainability