Participatory physical planning in Uganda: investigation on public participation processes during the preperation of the 1994 Kampala structure plan

Abstract

The Kampala Structure Plan (KSP) of 1994 was developed as part of the Kampala Urban Study as a local land use plan. It was prepared as a guideline for the implementation of physical structures in Kampala, geared at developing, organizing and modernizing the city. The KSP was prepared by John Van Nostrand Associates Limited, a firm from Canada. Upon completion of the plan, implementation was marred by several issues concerning the implementation procedure, resources mobilisation and politics. However it was greatly believed that the participatory planning process that was supposed to have been undertaken during the preparation of the Structure Plan (SP) may not have been properly carried out thus complicating the whole implementation programme. The research study was therefore carried out with the following objectives; to examine participatory planning approaches that were used in physical planning in Kampala, to identify the key stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities in the planning process and to analyse the key challenges met during the preparation of the KSP. The findings from the research study showed that citizen participation was carried out but was not adequate. There was more of a one sided information flow from the planners to the citizens and the roles and responsibilities of each party were not clearly outlined. The failure of the KSP in achieving its objectives could be greatly attributed to the planning process. Recommendations were made on how the planning process for other physical plans should be carried out. Among the recommendations was the sensitisation of the general public on the planning activities for effective community participation and clearly defining roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the participatory planning process. The research study presents the aims and objectives, procedure, findings and gives recommendations for a successful approach to participatory planning based on the “Investigation on Public Participation Processes during the preparation of the 1994 KSP.”