Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Congestion has become one of the major problems in Kisii town. This has led to slowing down and delay of several activities in town. Congestion is caused when there is no smooth flow of traffic or the available public spaces like streets, walking paths and parking areas are not developed well enough to serve the number of people who intend to use it. The study tries to connect this to poor urban design of the town. The study then breaks down urban design to streets, public spaces and layout of buildings. The aim of this research is to assess the contribution of poor urban design to congestion in Kisii town. The research findings will have valuable information to relevant institutions like the physical planning department as well as all relevant stakeholders involved which makes the environment a better place. For the success of the research an interview was done at the physical planning office and satellite imagery was used to confirm how the streets and layout of buildings look like. The results showed that poor urban design is a contributor to congestion where the town does not have well developed public spaces like paths that would encourage walking and cycling, lack of well-designed parking areas that would satisfy the demand, incomplete streets and a poor layout of buildings caused by lack of adhering to the zoning regulations as well as other relevant regulations. Lack of more alternative routes in town also contributed to congestion in town. Alternative routes offer more choices as well as direct routes to the road users destinations. Urbanization is leading to population increase in town which contributes to more cars and more pedestrians in town. Lack of implementing a new design with well-developed streets, public spaces and a good layout of buildings means that congestion is likely to increase in town. When congestion is increased the town is likely to have security threats due increase in crime rate as well as increase of conflicts among the road users and may lead to increase in accidents in town. The study concluded that preparation of a better design of the town which considers all aspects as well as accommodates all the types of street users can reduce congestion in town. The design as well should give individuals option like walking and cycling that not only help to reduce congestion but are also environmental friendly. Congestion being a menace in most urban areas in developing countries the study recommends that experts need to increase on research on how to reduce congestion as well as develop sustainable plans
