Examining factors responsible for the present patterns of urbanization in regional cities in Uganda

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the policy, legal, socio-economic and structural factors behind the present patterns of urbanisation in Lira City and Gulu City and suggest recommendations suitable for upgrading the urbanization patterns in the two cities. The study was cross sectional and descriptive in nature using the quantitative approach. Sample population of 80 respondents was subjected to purposive and simple random sampling for the case of this study. Questionnaires were used to obtain quantitative data for the study. The findings revealed that the key pressing factors responsible for the present state of urbanization were strong physical planning systems and sound policy enforcement, communication and technological advancement, and the practice of participatory planning. The need for city authorities to continually recognize bottom up approach wherever there is any development programme to be made within their communities, improvement of road infrastructures and extension of utilities such as electricity and water supply, and the need for central government to increase the grants base so that city development strategies and financially facilitated for better results have been highly emphazised as yardsticks for upgrading urbanization patterns in the tow cites. It was highly recommended that the city authorities should continually recognize bottom up approach wherever there is any development programme to be made within the community in the cities