Paul M Syagga

The impact of compulsory land acquisition on displaced households: The case of the Third Nairobi Water Supply Project, Kenya

Abstract This paper analyses the impact of compulsory land acquisition on displaced persons in Kenya. The analysis reveals that compulsory land acquisition quite often has far-reaching socio-economic impact on the lives of persons whose parcels of land are acquired. The effects of compulsory land acquisition identified included changes in income levels, land utilisation, land-ownership structure, farming practices, familial composition and cultural and social values, norms and bonds. In this paper, land acquisition, compensation and resettlement processes are briefly discussed. The main focus is, however, on the socio-economic impact that compulsory land acquisition has on the persons affected by the process. Some suggestions are made as to how the process can be improved in future. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this case study will be informative to decision makers not only in Kenya but also in other developing countries where public construction projects cause displacement of residents. Although the project and hence the affected people are located in a rural settlement, the purpose of the project is to supply water to Nairobi city. It is therefore a case of how urban projects can have far-reaching effects beyond urban boundaries.

Building maintenance : a management manual

This book describes the management and administration of building maintenance and the methods or basic technologies. It is aimed at managers of small building units, it describes some common causes of the deterioration of building fabric and suggests some solutions.

Promoting the use of appropriate building materials in shelter provision in Kenya

Abstract The shortage of decent housing is a problem that many Kenyans, especially the low income households who comprise more than 70% of residents in the urban areas, are confronted with. The research into and development of appropriate building materials that are climatically adaptable, socially acceptable and relatively cheaper to produce is one of the ways in which provision of more housing at prices that are affordable to the majority of those who need it can be realised. Efforts in Kenya in the development of appropriate building materials have been going on since the 1970s. The research and development in this field has been carried out by local institutions in conjunction with international donors and research agencies. Despite a considerable amount of work done so far, the dissemination of these materials to the general public and to those who need better housing at reasonable costs has not been very successful. Appropriate building materials are not being produced and utilised on a scale comparable to that of the relatively more expensive conventional building materials with the result that the housing shortage continues unabated.