Piecemeal planning in the spatial development of emerging rural growth centers in Uganda : a case of Angagura Sub County, Pader District

Abstract

The study assessed the applicability of piecemeal planning in the spatial development of emerging rural growth centers: a case of Angagura Sub County. The main objectives were; to investigate the concept and perception of piecemeal planning, to evaluate the applicability of piecemeal planning and to assess the integration and adoption of piecemeal plans into contemporary Physical Development Planning Processes. The research adopted planning concepts such as Comprehensive Planning, Communicative Planning, mixed scanning, disjointed incrementalism and Transactive Planning. The study used descriptive survey design. In addition, it considered a sample size of 59 respondents who were selected from a population of 70. The study used purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Interview method, questionnaire survey, and document review were used to gather data. The data collected using questionnaires was quantitatively analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that developers within Angagura have knowledge on the concept of piecemeal planning, the study also found that piecemeal planning is being applied/used when planning for development of Angagura Trading Center. Further, the study discovered that piecemeal plans can be integrated into a comprehensive Physical Development Plans and they influence the direction of the Physical Development Plan. The integration can be achieved through a sequential process of identifying and mapping existing piecemeal plans within the planning area while shorting the similar and dissimilar features, interconnecting similar features and joining them to form one composite map. The study recommended for meaningful sensitization of stakeholders during piecemeal planning is significant. The study also recommended that detailed layout plans should be considered to provide immediate first line solution to spatial development in emerging towns, as the preparation of PDP may takes some time. The study further recommended that the Physical Planning Standards and Guidelines could guide the development process of a detailed layout plan. Similarly it recommended that preparation of Physical Development Plan should not only be restricted to a given administrative jurisdiction but nearby Development nodes should be clearly guided since some of the areas have always been merged into one urban authority. The study also recommended The Physical Planning Consultants to consider engaging the architects of the existing piecemeal plan to get the insight of their thoughts that influenced the proposals in their piecemeal plan.