Effectiveness of urban physical planning committees in the implementation of physical development plans: the case of Jinja Municipality 2009 - 2019

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the Urban Physical Planning Committee in Jinja Municipality, Uganda, in implementing the Physical Development Plan from 2009 to 2019. Conducted within the context of rapid urbanization in developing regions, like Uganda, the study focused on Jinja Municipality (now City) due to its unique historical and functional significance in urban planning, providing a rich context for evaluating the performance of Urban Physical Planning Committees. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the Urban Physical Planning Committees in implementing the Physical Development Plan, with specific objectives including examining the roles of Urban Physical Planning Committees, evaluating land use conformance, and determining approaches for improved Physical Development Plan implementation. A mixed-methods research design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, including in-depth interviews, site visits, document reviews, and Geographic Information System analysis. The findings show that the Jinja Municipality Physical Planning Committee has been moderately effective in implementing the Physical Development Plan, with an overall effectiveness rate of 54.45%, but faced significant challenges such as limited resources, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and institutional weaknesses. These factors have led to discrepancies between planned and actual landuse and urban development, resulting in issues like incompatible land use, urban sprawl, and the proliferation of informal settlements. The study recommends better resource allocation, stronger governance frameworks, enhanced community engagement, and the use of advanced technologies like Geographic Information Systems for monitoring and enforcement. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of urban planning, Urban Physical Planning Committees, and implementation of Physical Development Plans in rapidly growing cities. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development and the implementation of Physical Development Plans, emphasizing the need for robust governance, adequate resources, and active stakeholder participation to enhance the effectiveness of Physical Planning Committees in the implementation of Physical Development Plans in Jinja and developing regions.