Growing urbanisation: Is it a curse or blessing?

Developing regions could add 3.2 billion new urban residents by 2050, a figure larger than the entire world’s population in 1950, according to the World Economic and Social Survey, 2013. The survey, published in July by the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs, indicates that more than 6.25 billion people will be living in cities by 2050. The figures mean that the pressure exerted on land will increase with a possible occupation of lands meant for other activities like agriculture. The growing urbanisation has also increased competition for land between real estate developers and farmers. It has also put a strain on the available resources such as adequate housing, water and sanitation systems, health facilities and schools, among others.The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that urban expansion encroaches on the available agricultural land, leading to low productivity. It says that as urban zones continue to expand, the three major components of food security, which are food availability, accessibility and safety are likely to be affected.Inter-relationRwanda is said to be urbanising at a rate of 4.8 per cent per annum, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure. The City of Kigali, however, is urbanising at a rate of 9 per cent. There is also a plan to urbanise six secondary cities. They are: Rubavu, Huye, Rusizi, Muhanga, Musanze and Nyagatare.The Southern Province Governor Alphonse Munyantwari says urbanisation and food security are inter-related and complementary. Munyantwari said though urbanisation transforms people’s lives, it should be carried out carefully to avoid affecting agriculture.He said proper planning on the use of land ensures that urban areas continue to grow, while at the same time guaranteeing increase in agriculture production. Birasa Nyamurinda, an economist and professor at the University of Rwanda/Huye Campus, concurs with the statement.He says urban expansion relates to food security in various ways, including rising demand for food, price fluctuations but also increase of markets. Nyamurinda says urban expansion leads to price fluctuations, thus affecting people’s purchasing power.The economist also notes that urban expansion may contribute to a decrease in arable land, thus posing a threat to food production.Nyamurinda has urged authorities to ensure that urbanisation doesn’t affect food production.He also advised policymakers to study the possibility of promoting urban agriculture, as a way of ensuring food security within urban zones.However, the professor cites industrialisation, opportunities to process and add value to food, expanded markets for agriculture produce and jobs for residents as some of the positive results of urbanisation.“Sometimes, the advantages of urbanisation outweigh the disadvantages,” Nyamurinda notes.Allaying fearsThe majority of Rwandans still depend on agriculture, with estimates putting the number of farmers to be around 80 per cent of the total population.Rwanda’s population is currently estimated at over 10.5 million with an annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent. Statistics from last year’s population census show that Rwanda’s population has grown to over 10.5 million up from about 8.1m in 2002, which projects a 29.6 per cent rise.The population, according to projections, may double by 2030.The rapid population growth has resulted into the expansion of urban areas and the birth of new urban zones, especially on the outskirts of the City of Kigali. One of the districts which have seen major housing activities is Kamonyi in the Southern Province, with new housing units mushrooming on a daily basis, especially in Runda Sector and parts of Gacurabwenge and Rugarika sectors. Though there have been concerns over the possibility of a decrease in agricultural productivity in the area due to massive housing activities, Kamonyi District mayor Jacques Rutsinga told The New Times that all activities related to land use are “conducted in an organised way.”The district has developed a master plan indicating which areas should be used for agriculture, commercial as well as residential purposes.The master plan is inclusive, he says, noting that places for ultra-modern building, commercial housing units, low-cost residential housing and farming land, among others, have been earmarked as part of the master plan.“Organised settlement and urbanisation are central to development,” Rutsinga says.He says the district will continue to champion increased agriculture productivity, adding that agriculture will continue to be practiced even as the city expands.The Imidugudu case“When it comes to setting up Imidugudu (community settlements), we thoroughly analyse various variables, including soil fertility. You cannot construct houses on highly fertile land when you have less fertile areas,” Rutsinga says.Professor Nyamurinda, however, argues that Imidugudu should not be analysed as part of urban expansion but rather as part of efforts to encourage proper settlement, better land management and helping individuals to access basic necessities closer.Mayor Rutsinga says he regards the Imidugudu trend not as a challenge to farming but rather an opportunity for local farmers to benefit from increased market for their produce.The government has been encouraging residents, especially those living upcountry, to settle in Imidugudu.The ‘villagisation’ programme aims at encouraging the development of rural centres into planned settlement and the restructuring of unplanned residential areas in order to improve the living conditions of the population.Officials say the policy facilitates access to social and economic services, such as water, electricity, schools, hospitals, roads and public offices, among others, and helps in the development of consolidated farmlands for increased production.Augustin Kampayana, the head of the Rural Settlement Taskforce atthe Ministry of Local Government, told The New Times that choosing sites for Imidugudu follows strict procedures and processes which involve making sure that the land is suitable for housing and off at-risk zones, among others.We also try to identify less arable land for the matter of maintaining agriculture production, Kampayana said.A 2009 ministerial order on Imidugudu, signed by the then minister for local government, Protais Musoni, makes it compulsory for such settlements to be established on less arable land except for areas where it is not possible.The selection of Imidugudu sites involves both local leaders and residents and is approved by local Sector Advisory Councils before implementation, Kampayana says.“The policy doesn’t affect food production,” Kampayana said. “It rather encourages better land management as housing units are constructed on one part while the rest of the land is consolidated for other activities, especially farming,” he added.

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Growing urbanisation: Is it a curse or blessing?