Hannington Sengendo

Enhancing Security and Resilience of Low-Income Communities to Climate Change in Growing Cities: An Assessment of Flood Management and Planning Regimes in Kampala City, Uganda

The rapid expansion of settlements in cities and worsening economic inequality have shifted the balance of disaster risk from rural to urban areas. People have to survive in a money economy and have to contend every day with many socio-economic and environmental hazards. Studies of flood hazard risks in Kampala are inconclusive. Lack of reliable information makes it difficult to evaluate the different impacts of integrated flood management and planning regimes on the livelihoods of low-income households. An ongoing study in the city of Kampala is spatially determining the magnitude and intensity of exposure to flood hazards and their impact on the livelihoods of communities occupying low-income areas.

FORMULATION OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY OF KAMPALA, UGANDA

ABSTRACT It is estimated that 60% of the Gross National product in developing countries is generated by cities. However, many of these cities have fundamental obstacles that need to be overcome if they are to be more productive. One of the most visible problem in an African city is its deteriorated environmental condition. While this poses a critical health hazard to the populace, it is also a key factor that hinders economic growth and development. In this paper, it is argued that a complex set of factors such as the unparalleled rate of urban expansion, high population growth rates and high incidents of poverty have all contributed to the less than desired environmental condition of most African cities. It is further argued that there are other fundamental issues that underlie the unhealthy urban environment. These include the lack of public awareness, an inappropriate policy framework, inadequate political commitment, insufficient investments in infrastructure, and the lack of capacities within the gov...

SOME KEY GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH AREAS RELEVANT TO DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO UGANDA: AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

The goals of this paper is to introduce the reader to the key geographical research areas relevant to development strategies in Uganda. Special emphasis has been put on key environmental issues which are topical today and these are presented in a manner which can seek the contribution of a geographer in the actual decisions concerning policy or practice with regard to environmental issues. It is being emphasised that the geographers are best placed to undertake researches towards the discovery of the man-environment relationship, seeks to make people understand the fundamental characteristics of natural resources and processes through which thy can be utilised. A key consideration in this paper is to show what distinctive roles the geographer can play and has played in developing geographical inquiry and research in reconciling conflicting economic, political, ecological perception and as a resource analyst and ultimate utilisation of environmental resources.

GEOGRAPHY IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract Geography is one of the oldest forms of intellectual inquiry. There is little disagreement among professional geographers as to what the discipline is actually about. This agreement about this discipline, among its practitioners, has to some extent caused considerable reputation to those who are practicing the subject This however, does not mean that the subject is looked upon in a positive way by the public, with the result that most of those who wish to study the subject are unsure what they will do after graduation. This paper explores the roles of geography in a historical perspective. It examines the methodology of geography and the way it has evolved so as to give the subject a place of its own among other subjects. Geographys roles in various sectors and frontiers are examined. An attempt has been made to appeal to students, teachers and other practitioners who are concerned with preserving the public image of their subject as an academic discipline, as well as a field of applied research...