Geography and Environment

Activity 14.2

Study the photographs shown below then answer the questions that follow.

1.Describe how people are settled in the top right part of photograph. How different is this type of settlement from the rest of the area shown by the photograph?

2.Discuss the possible reasons that explain settlement patterns in the area shown by the photograph.

There are five types of rural settlements in Rwanda. These are:

       • Grouped settlement

       • Nucleated settlement

       • Linear settlement

       • Isolated settlement

       • Planned settlement

i)  Grouped settlement

Grouped settlement in Rwanda is also called Umudugudu. This is a mode of settlement having between 100 and 200 mud-bricked houses in an area. It is a low-cost housing scheme, to resettle thousands of people who returned after the 1994 Genocide against the Tusti.

This type of settlement is organised into centres of development, equipped with basic infrastructure and services. This system serves as the starting point of development of non-agricultural income generating activities. Land is reorganised and consolidated so as to create adequate space for modern living. This reoganisation also allows for profitable farming.

Several grouped settlements make up Rural Settlement Schemes.

Remember!

The aim of Umidugudu in Rwanda is to provide improved quality of life for the population. This is achieved through provision of basic needs such as:

     •  Employment

     •  Adequate housing

     •  Access to water and energy

     •  A cleaned-up environment

     •  Access to basic facilities such as markets and health services

    •  Safety and order in public places and in homes

Activity 14.3

Identify three areas in your locality where there are imidugudus. List the distinguishing characteristics of the places you have identified from other settlement patterns.

ii) Nucleated settlements

Nucleated settlements are clustered together round a nucleus such as route junctions or where a given resource is being extracted. The settlements are either permanent or temporary. They are often linked by roads or footpaths. This is type of settlements is common in Muhanga and Rulindo districts.

iii) Linear settlements

Activity 14.4

Study the following photograph then state reasons that have influenced the type of settlement shown.

A linear rural settlement pattern forms along a river, coastline or road.The pattern takes the shape of the feature which could be a straight line or curved. The pattern is likely to be maintained even when the population grows.

iv) Isolated settlements

In isolated settlements, dwellings or homes are far apart. Isolated settlements occur where land is owned individually and every family settles on its piece of land. It is common in areas with low agricultural productivity and therefore there is low population density. It is also common in areas with little or no rainfall. Many places in Kayonza and Nyagatare districts have isolated settlements.

Activity 14.5

1.  Draw an illustration to show isolated settlements.

2.  Give examples of places in Rwanda that have isolated settlements.

v) Planned settlements

Planned settlements in Rwanda originated from The National Human Settlement Policy,adopted in December 1996. The policy focuses on urban planning, restructuring of unplanned residential areas in towns and the regrouping of the rural population.

Planned settlements were introduced to settle Rwandans who:

      •  Were relocated from high-risk zones

      •  From historically marginalised groups

      •  Were evicted from Tanzania

      •  Came from Mugombwa refugee camp

The aim of planned settlements is to ensure that every Rwandan has access to water, roads electricity and infrastructure facilities. Planned settlements are already in place in Huye and Gisagara, including Save, Gisagara and Kibirizi.

Remember!

Planned settlements prioritise the planning and development of improved rural and urban human settlement. This has a double effect of providing decent housing as well as ensuring better land use and environmental protection.

14.1.2 Characteristics of rural settlements

Activity 14.6

There are five categories of rural settlements as discussed above.

Fill the table below with characteristics of each type of settlement discussed above.

Most rural area settlements consist of scattered homesteads and other buildings that are far apart. They may be separated by ridges, hills or rivers. They are also common where extensive farming is practised. Rural settlements are characterised by single farms and nucleated villages. Majority of inhabitants of rural settlement are involved in agriculture and primary activities like fishing, farming, forestry and mining. The pattern of rural settlement varies from a single farm to a cluster of houses. This is determined by the resource present and type of land use.

14.1.3 Problems affecting rural settlements

Activity 14.7

Study the following photo of a typical rural settlement.

From the photograph, explain some of the challenges that people living in such an area are likely to face. Base your discussion on the following points:

    a)  Availability of electricity

    b)  Good roads

    c)  Source of water

    d)  Ease of trade

    e)  Ability to carry out farming

    f)  Presence of social amenities such as schools and hospitals

Rural settlements experience the following problems:

     i)  Inadequate basic social facilities for the population.

     ii)  The rural to urban migration results to shortage of labour in the farms.

     iii)  Deteriorating soil fertility due to poor farming methods that has caused decline in agricultural production.

     iv)  Encroachment onto forested areas reducing the forest cover.

    v)  Few income generating activities leading to increased poverty levels.

14.1.4 Solutions to the problems affecting rural settlements

i)  Establishing regrouped settlements through imidugudus.

ii)  Improving the basic infrastructure and services such as water supply, electricity supply, transport and communication, health and education services.

iii)  Improving agricultural production that is the mainstay of the economy of Rwanda.

iv)  Initiating the creation of other income generating activities other than agriculture by working with private development partners to empower communities financially.

v)  Initiating training architectures on low cost alternative building materials to save forests.

vi)  Implementing the The National Policy on Human Settlement that provides for the control of unplanned rural settlements. It also provides for consolidation of rural settlements with basic infrastructure.

vii)  Initiating plans to develop inclusive settlement with priority to the vulnerable such as the women, youth, the disabled and those living with HIV and AIDs. This will be done in collaboration with development partners. Specifically, women will be trained in entrepreneurship and management of decent economic activities.

14.1.5 Advantages and disadvantages of rural settlement schemes (Imidugudu)

Advantages of rural settlement schemes (Imidugudu)

1.It led to the construction of many houses for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

2.Since the policy focused on group settlement, the government managed to solve the problem of land scarcity.

3.Imidugudu targeted the establishment of specific residential areas in each village in efforts to enhance proper land utilisation

4.Through such an initiative, the government has been able to provide the basic services to a larger section of the population. This is because people would be concentrated in defined areas, making it much easier and more efficient to provide social and economic services such as health, education, water and sanitation to the population.

5.Such settlements enabled people to mobilise self-defence units against gangs of militiamen that still roamed the countryside after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

6.Communities in the Imidugudu provide mutual support and foster trust amongst themselves.

Disadvantages of rural settlement schemes (Imidugudu)

a) Some of the housing units were hurriedly constructed compromising the building standards of the houses.

b) The size of the land available per household is less than one hectare and the space for agricultural activities is about half a hectare. This limits the available land for agriculture. In some cases, this has forced some people to move kilometres away to access land for cultivation.

c) In some cases, areas of flat land were chosen, making housing construction easier. However, the land was often fertile agricultural land, which forced those affected to use less fertile hill slopes for cultivation. This led to low crop yields and environmental degradation.

d)In some Imidugudu, such as the ones in Nyagatare, people walk at least 35 km to the nearest health centre. Children in Ngoma on the other hand live 20 km from the nearest school.

14.2 Urban Settlement

14.2.1 Major urban centres in Rwanda

Urban centres are spread in all the five provinces. The major cities are headquarters of the provinces or districts.

Activity 14.8

Below is a map marked with major urban areas. Use your atlas to name all the urban centres shown on the map.

14.2.2 Major characteristics of urban settlement

Activity 14.9

Discuss:

Explain the distinguishing characteristics of an urban area.The Rwandan cities share the following common characteristics:

i)  Agriculture is the main economic activity except in Kigali.

ii)  They are residential, commercial and administrative centres.

iii)  They have high traffic congestion especially during rush hours.

iv)  Urban centres are route focused, that is, they are centres of communication.

v)  They have high population compared to rural areas.

vi)  Settlements range from high cost housing units to low cost housing.

vii)  They are built–up areas with tall buildings.

14.2.3 Functions of urban centres in Rwanda

a) Functions of Kigali City

i.It is an administrative centre, and serves as the national capital. The main residence and offices of the President of Rwanda are located here. Offices for various Government Ministries are also found here.

ii.It is a residential centre with different classes of residential zones.

iii.It is a transport and communication centre. It is a focus of roads and has an International airport.

iv.It is a financial centre, with major banks and insurance companies such as Bank of Kigali, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, and Soras Insurance Company.

v.It is a recreational and cultural centre with museums, national stadium, several hotels and clubs.

vi.It is an educational centre with several primary and secondary schools, universities and institutions of higher learning. Such institutions include College of Education, College of Business and Economics and University of Rwanda (which has over three campusses).

b) Functions of Huye

i.It is an administrative centre.

ii.It is a residential centre.

iii.It is a transport and communication centre. It is a focus of roads and has an airport.

iv.It has Murambi Genocide Memorial.

v.It is an educational centre, with primary and secondary schools. For instance, it houses the University of Rwanda and Rwandan National Institute of Scientific Research.

c) Functions of Rubavu

i.It is a residential centre.

ii.It is an administrative centre.

iii.It is a transport and communication centre.

iv.It is a recreational and cultural centre with museums and several beach hotels.

v.It is an educational centre with primary and secondary schools, including the National University of Rwanda.

d) Functions of Musanze

i.It is an administrative centre.

ii.It is a cultural centre with several learning institutions such as Muhabura Polytechnic and Institute of Applied Science.

iii.It is a business and trade centre.

iv.It is a residential centre.

v.It is a major tourist destination for watching the unique mountain Gorillas, excavated caves with early humans and Eco gardens.

vi.It is a recreation centre with many hotels and clubs

14.2.4 Factors influencing the growth of urban centres in Rwanda

Activity 14.10

Several factors have led to the growth of cities and towns in Rwanda. Some of these factors are:

a)  Historical issues

b)  Economic activities

c)  Transport and communication

d)  Administrative activities

e)  Human migration

f)  Natural growth of urban settlements

Using Kigali City as a point of reference, discuss with examples how each of the above factors has contributed to its growth.

14.2.5 Problems facing urban centres in Rwanda and their possible solutions

Activity 14.11

Use the local urban centres to observe and record the problems of urban growth and the control measures.

In groups, discuss the findings and make a class presentation.

The following table presents a summary of the problems facing urban centres in Rwanda.

Remember!

Practice of solid waste disposal in landfills presents serious environmental concerns such as vegetation damage and unpleasant odours.

14.2.6 Environmental protection measures in urban centres in Rwanda

Activity 14.12

Using the Internet and other geographical sources of data, research on the environmental protection measures in urban centres in Rwanda. In groups, discuss the findings and make class presentation.

The development of slum has been a major concern to the government. The following are some of the solutions initiated:

i)   Creating jobs in the smaller cities of Huye, Rubavu, Nyagatare, Rwamagana, Rusizi and Musanze. This is expected reduce migration to the capital of Kigali.

ii)  Training people in technical and vocational skills to enable them take part in the construction of more housing units needed in the cities.

iii)  Identification of the right raw materials for construction and right technology to promote low-cost indigenous home building.

iv)  Expanding the sewerage system in line with increased population. Regular garbage collection and disposal to be out of town. Garbage treatment is undertaken far from towns.

v)  Extending social services to rural areas to limit rural-urban migration.

vi)  Providing enough security in urban centres to suppress crime.vii)Constructing new roads, highways and expanding existing ones to ease traffic congestion.

END OF UNIT REVISION EXERCISE

1. What is the meaning of the following terms?

     • Settlement

     • Land use

     • Urbanisation

2. Give three characteristics of rural settlements.

3. Study the photograph provided and answer the following questions.

      (a)  Explain the problems that people living here may be facing.

   (b)  What is housing shortage?

   (c)  What are inclusive homes?

4. How does urban growth help in developing rural areas?

5. Write four functions of Kigali city.

6. Explain four efforts the Government of Rwanda has made to improve rural settlements.