Leon Mugabe’s research while affiliated with University of Rwanda and other places

Rapid urbanization is intensifying inequality in cities, particularly in Africa, where informal neighbourhoods present significant challenges, often exposing vulnerable residents to precarious living conditions. Building resilient communities and ensuring satisfaction with livelihoods are fundamental to determining quality of life. This study examines the living environments and satisfaction levels of residents across Kigali’s neighbourhoods, based on the premise that the neighborhood is a key framework for analysing residents’ livelihoods and their distinct characteristics. Using spatial data, 130 residential neighbourhoods were mapped and analysed, while a quantitative survey collected information on residents' living conditions from 1,092 households. The results revealed significant differences in neighborhood living environments. However, contrary to common perceptions, residents of informal areas reported high levels of satisfaction with their neighbourhoods. The study concludes that, despite disparities, living conditions across Kigali’s neighbourhoods are generally adequate. Drawing from detailed evidence, it further confirms that the neighborhood scale is a valuable framework for studying resilience and sustainability in African cities.

In order to bring a thorough and comprehensive understanding of social, economic and environmental sustainability challenges faced by cities and local communities in the developing countries, the SHLC team conducted a major household survey followed by a neighbourhood focus group interview in seven Asian and African countries from late 2021 to early 2022. In each country the study includes two case study cities: one large city and one smaller regional cities. Within each case study cities, neighbourhoods were identified and categorised into five income and wealth bands: the rich, upper middle income, middle income, lower middle and low income neighbourhoods. A household survey was carried out face to face by trained interviewers with a random adult member of the household. The 20 page common questionnaire was designed and adopted by all teams, which cover topics of housing, residence, living conditions, migration, education, health, neighbourhood infrastructure, facilities, governance and relations, income and employments, gender equality and impacts from Covid-19. The sample was distributed in the city to representative the five neighbourhood types. The survey was completed in 13 of the 14 case study cities (fieldwork in Chongqing in China was delayed by the Covid-19 lockdowns and implemented in August 2023). The target sample for each city was 1000; the total sample in the database (SPSS and STATA) include 14245 households. The survey was followed by focus group interviews. A carefully designed and agreed common interview guide was used by all team. The target was to have one focus group for one neighbourhood in each income band in each city. A total of 74 focus group interviews were conducted (Fieldwork in Datong and Chongqing in China was delayed). The transcripts are the qualitative data shared here.

Kigali is a rapidly growing city, as exemplified by the phenomenal increase of its inhabitants from 358,200 in 1996 to 1,630,657 in 2017. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of detailed analytical information about the processes and factors driving unprecedented urban growth in the period following the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi (1994) and its impact on the natural environment. This article, therefore, analyses the growth of the city of Kigali with respect to its post-genocide spatial and demographic dimensions. The methodology involves a quantification of urban growth over the period of the last 30 years using remote-sensing imagery coupled with demographic data drawn from different sources. The analysis of land cover trends shows how significant the pressure of urban expansion has been on the natural environment , with a 14 per cent decrease in open land between 1999 and 2018. Spatially, the average annual growth rate was almost 10.24 per cent during the same period. This growth is associated with the building of a large number of institutions, schools and industries. Moreover, the increase in low-income residents led to the construction of bungalows expanding on large suburbs and the development of new sub-centres in the periphery instead of high-rise apartments.

This study analyses the spatial expansion of Kigali city, the neighbourhood patterns and key urban characteristics that impact its citizens. It explores evidence on (i) city growth and land-cover change, (ii) demographic, socioeconomic and environmental attributes, (iii) neighbourhood types and socio-spatial categorisation, and (iv) education and health services. KEY FINDINGS n Kigali has experienced significant demographic and spatial growth in the last 20 to 30 years, which has largely been driven by internal migration and natural increases in the population. Built-up areas of the city have increased from 25km2 to 115 km². However, rapid and uncontrolled urbanisation is causing a decline in adequate housing. n The study identified 130 neighbourhoods, categorised into planned, mixed and unplanned neighbourhoods that reflect the socio-spatial profile and income group of residents. A fourth, mixed-use category was also identified. n Compared to a national rate in Rwanda of about US$720 per person per year, Kigali's residents have relatively high household income per capita of more than US$1,000 per person per year. Poverty levels have decreased considerably over the last 10 years, employments rates have increased and over 70% of urban residents have access to basic amenities. n Kigali has responded positively to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, target 1, which calls for universal free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The city's success can be attributed to the fee-free 12 basic education (12YBE) policy implemented since 2012. Investment in infrastructure has improved access to health services in Kigali too. However, in both sectors, disparities are evident in terms of quality and service delivery based on socioeconomic groups.

The boundary of a neighbourhood can be defined by the administrative or physical 17 morphology (physical boundary), and by special inherent characteristics (subjective boundary). 18 This study investigates the extent to which Kigali's neighbourhood typologies (planned, unplanned 19 and mixed neighborhoods) fit into the existing theoretical boundary models. In particular, we 20 investigate whether the typologies are driven by theory or by practice, or by the combination of 21 both. Attempts to regularize spatial development in Rwanda have resulted in the enactment of a 22 number of urban development policies, including the 2013 Kigali City Master Plan, which sought 23 to streamline spatial planning. This paper argues that neighborhoods in Kigali are both theory and 24 practice driven; a reflection of modernity and context. On one hand, modernity suggests the desire 25 of planning authorities to follow contemporary planning theories and practices. Context, on the 26 other hand, reflects the desire to tailor local policies to country-specific challenges. The typologies, 27 however, tend to follow largely physical boundary model. Given the predominance of informal and 28 mixed neighborhoods, the study further argues that such areas form the 'bedroom' and 'transit 29 point' for most lower and middle class workers, in addition to serving as 'laboratory' for testing 30 various social interventions. The study recommends a mixed classification typology, invoking both 31 physical and subjective boundaries. 32

Though the relevance of the concept of neighbourhood in both research and policy oriented circles is unquestionable, the concept remains contested and fluid, making its operationalisation a daunting task, particularly in practice. This study explores how the concept of neighbourhood has been operationalised in Kigali city and how the neighbourhood boundaries and typologies are defined. The paper dwells on the review of relevant literature, interviews with 25 practitioners and field observations. It is argued that neighbourhood conceptualisation in Kigali is both theory—it bears the common aspects of neighbourhood definitions—and practice driven, reflecting modernity and context. On the one hand, modernity suggests the desire of planning authorities to follow contemporary planning practices. Context, on the other hand, reflects the desire to tailor local policies to country specific challenges. While boundaries follow subjective, administrative and physical models, typologies tend to be overly physical, focusing mainly on housing structures. The study identified three conventional neighbourhood typologies—planned, informal and mixed types. Given the predominance of informal and mixed neighbourhoods, this study further argues that such areas form the ‘bedroom’ and ‘transit point’ for most lower- and middle-class workers, in addition to serving as a ‘laboratory’ for testing various social interventions. The study recommends a well-serviced mixed classification typology to foster a strong sense of belongingness.

Rwanda is experiencing rapid development and urbanization in the Post-genocide perpetrated against Tutsi (1994) period. Kigali as the capital and the leading city is undergoing remarkable changes in the process of modernization. This is being done through the rejuvenation of commercial areas, building of new business offices and quality infrastructure, improvement of urban service delivery, tourism and industrial development (Kigali Special Economic Zone). Together with a clean city policy, the City of Kigali is now known to be one of the cleanest cities in Africa. This has been effectively achieved through consistent and integrated urban policies. However, the city has been facing challenges related to informal settlements and equitable provision of urban services to all residents. In this paper, data from secondary sources, mainly official reports, policy documents and academic papers, are presented and discussed through various perspectives related to the urban growth of Kigali. Likewise, the implications of existing policies on the implementation of strategic initiatives have also been highlighted.