The Value of Ecosystems for Poverty Reduction in Urban Areas: Case Study: Kampala Capital City Authority

Transcription

1 The Value of Ecosystems for Poverty Reduction in Urban Areas: Case Study: Kampala Capital City Authority Presented by Atwine Moses Kanuniira Deputy Director Physical Planning At ICLEI Regional Conference for Africa Dar Es Salaam 30 th Oct-1 st Nov 2013

2 Introduction Understanding the terms Ecosystems recognized as part of a bigger life-support system and crucial in providing fruitful livelihoods; i.e. employment, water, food, clean air, shelter, incomes and relative climatic reliability. Poverty is recognized as the state of lacking the means and opportunities to access basic essential goods and services necessary for facilitating ones quality of life. Reduction - using ecosystems as part of the greater resource factor in alleviating poverty levels among urban dwellers. Access is also appreciated in different perspectives: i.e. physical, social, economic & political considerations.

3 Value of Ecosystems Background There are a number of parallel government and NGO establishments in place meant to monitor and regulate the use and preservation of the existing fragile ecosystems. Uganda as a country has significant policy, legal, socio economic and environmental protection frameworks in place. The laws do recognize the intrinsic value & call for protection of the country s ecosystems (natural resources) including; wetlands, land, forests, rivers, lakes, national parks, wildlife reserves among many others for sustainable development.

4 Value of Ecosystems Sustainable development in the sense that the current population/users will use the resources and be mindful of future generations to equally find and utilize the same resources for similar benefits. The above recognition however, ought to be done while citizens/communities that depend directly on ecosystems, are granted & assured of the right to access, utilize and live harmoniously in the pertaining environment in a sustainable manner. There is apparent greed and impunity in the allocation, utilization of the available ecosystems in the name of investment and economic transformation.

5 Specific values & uses of ecosystems 1. Source of water for domestic and animal use 2. Craft materials & other artifacts 3. Urban agriculture (market gardening) 4. Fishing & fish mongering 5. Floriculture & horticulture 6. Source of irrigation water 7. Building materials (i.e. brick making, tiles) 8. Pottery & clay works 9. Stone, sand and soil quarrying 10. Wood fuel gathering 11. Hunting & food gathering 12. Animal grazing & raring 13. Medicinal collections 14. Research and education 15. Tourism and recreation

6 Key policy challenges There is gross encroachment and misuse of wetlands and other ecosystems partly due to conflicting land tenure systems and population pressure. TYPES OF LAND TENURE Free hold Titled, planned & regulated Lease hold Largely titled, planned & regulated developments Mailo land Largely un titled, unplanned / unregulated Private Mailo Titled, semi-planned /relatively regulated Customary land Untitled, unregulated

7 Implications of divergent land tenure on ecosystems Different user rights & land uses Conflicting legal frameworks for gazzetment & regulation Challenges in constituting a uniform regulatory framework for the different tenure systems Misuse & encroachment on fragile ecosystems Political involvement & interference Limited financing to gazette and secure the fragile ecosystems Limited public awareness and appreciation of the need to preserve ecosystems

8 Key challenges cont d As a city no specific studies or analyses have been done to determine the actual contribution of activities in performed in the surrounding ecosystems Whereas urban agriculture is recognized, no specific land is gazetted for urban agriculture in the city structure plan. Some communities/groupings may be physically close to the natural resource but limited or barred from direct access due to: Social; segregated by nature of pertaining social classifications (i.e. gender, religion, children or ethnic orientation) Economic; segregated due to ones economic affordability or status. Political affiliations; segregated due to a suspicions & wrong political groupings.

9 The case of Kampala Capital City Demographics: Kampala Capital City Authority: 1.8 million (UBOS, 2012) Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area: 3 million over night, 5 million during day (KCCA, 2012) Kampala hosts/absorbs 40% of national growth (UBOS, 2012) Urbanization rate: 5.61% pa (UBOS, 2012) Slum-growth equals urbanization rates (5.6% pa Slums represent 70% housing stock (Mabasi, 2009) Average density: 6,100 ppkm2, Slums: 30,000 ppkm2 (UBOS, 2012)

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15 Physical infrastructure 70% housing stock at slums (Mabasi, 2009) 45% of housing is located in flood prone areas (UN Habitat 2004) Most slums occupy wetlands (due to poor regulatory framework & limited enforcement. There is high demand for housing land & urban farming 75% solid waste is collected (KCCA 2012) 78% lack clean/safe water coverage Only 5% of the housing is connected to sewer lines (MWE, 2012) 84% of slum population share toilet with 30 people (Gunther, 2012) 92.7% of the slum dwellers use pit latrines suspended septic tanks (UBOS, 2012)

16 Challenges facing ecosystems There is significant wetland encroachment, overuse and destruction: 96.7% loss (UN-Habitat 2004) Flooding due to illegal backfilling & conversion to other un compatible uses causing ecological stress. Improper waste disposal into wetlands. The city relies on natural drainage systems that are clogged with garbage or physical encroachment. High prevalence of waterborne diseases within and around wetland areas. Degraded water table & quality: wells and springs are contaminated with fecal matter

17 Greening Kampala Tree planting is on going on the streets of Kampala City & other open spaces

18 Greening Kampala Kampala Capital City Authority has got its own nursery beds to support & sustain the greening of the city

19 Proposed mitigation interventions 1. Creation of satellite cities km outside the current city 2. Densification of buildings to free space and pressure from the remaining ecosystems. 3. Reclamation and restoration of all the grossly encroached ecosystems and greening of all public open spaces. 4. Review and harmonization of the conflicting legal framework. 5. Gazzetting all fragile ecosystems, followed by strict regulation and enforcement (with punitive sanctions in place). 6. Increased public awareness and engagement to appreciate the need to preserve the ecosystems/wetlands. 7. Increased financing and capital investments in the ecosystems 8. Encouraging public-private partnerships in managing and maintaining open green spaces.

20 THANK YOU Questions and comments