6.4 Standards for Provision of Social Facilities

6.4.1 Health Facilities

The standards for health facilities proposed in the Kampala Structure Plan, 1972, were mainly based on the findings of a symposium held at Makerere in 1966, under the auspices of WHO and UNICEF (Medical Care in Developing Countries, M. Kingl, but with a number of modifications to suit conditions of Kampala. These modifications had been made after discussions with the Kampala City Council Medical Officer of Health and after surveys at Naguru and Kiswa Health Centres had been carried out. (See report - Standards for Social Facilities, Health, Schools).

The health centre is basic unit of medical care to serve a population of 40,000 in a range of 2.5 km from potential users; situated on 1.6 Ha
(4 acres).

6.4.2 Education Facilities

The structure plan concentrated mainly on calculation of planning standards for primary and secondary schools. The school standards had been agreed upon by the two authorities responsible, mainly KCC and Ministry of Education ( M.O.E).

The land requirements were based on a number of assumptions:

(a) 15% of city population will be primary school age (6 - 12 yrs);
(b) 12% of city population will be secondary school age (13 - 18 yrs);
(c) there would be a stable urban population, that is, few children sent outside and few coming in for schooling;
(d) a maximum of 40 students per class;
(e) a maximum of 3 streams per primary school, giving a maximum enrolment for a primary seven school of 840 students;
(f) there will be a maximum enrolment of 2000 students for a secondary school; and,
(g) sufficient sites should be allocated for universal primary and secondary education even though universal education may not be achieved during the plan period.

6.4.3 Site Requirements

 A minimum of 1 ha (2.5 Acres) land per stream of primary, and 3 ha for 3 streams. A small reduction in these standards would be permissible if the land is flat and dry, and thus completely usable, and if there are other schools and open spaces adjacent, whose facilities could be used jointly.

 Secondary school requirement was put at 6 ha (15 acres); not catering for staff and student accommodation. Schools were to be day not boarding.

6.4.4 Open Space Facilities

Three main open space facilities have been identified to cater for a full range of out-door leisure activities. Firstly, there must be open space for sports; secondly, amenity open space for quiet relaxation; and thirdly, small play spaces for young children. The objective is to make sure that land is not overloaded to set in motion the process of soil deterioration arising out of rapid loss of vegetation.

Provision of these sports facilities (based on British Standards - highly urbanised) and modified to Kampala conditions requires an allocation of approximately 0.3 ha.(0.8 acres) of land per 1,000 people.

The standard amenity open space proposed is 0.4 - 0.8 ha. (1 to 2 acres). In medium - to high density areas special provision for children play spaces becomes necessary. That 0.2 ha (0.5 acres) of play space per 1000 people should be provided in all housing areas with density of 75 or more persons per ha (30 people per acre).

In addition to the lake-shores and valleys, which provide much of the future open space, two other types are generally suitable. They are the hill-tops with fine views over the City and surrounding areas, and sites with some particular historic or religious attraction, for example, Kampala Old Fort or Natete/Busega Martyrs Memorial Ground, and others.

6.4.5 Drainage and Sanitation

Under the Public Health Act the drainage and sanitation rules provide for the proper disposal of foul water from premises so as not to pollute the soils with a view to protecting water resources.

6.4.6 Institutional Strengthening (improve to relate to soils)

To be able to ensure environmental integrity, local authorities must emphasise the role of land use planning. Urban space must be planned for before development. Hence, steep slopes, wetlands and other sensitive areas should be zoned for protection with the necessary mitigation measures put in place where development cannot be avoided. Hence, the requirement for an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Since soils are not easily restored, it is imperative that activities that impact on them (such as, mining, quarrying, construction) are conducted with adequate precautions. In construction for instance, care should be taken not to destabilise soils on steep slopes so as to avoid triggering off land-slides, silting and eventual flooding in the low lying areas.

A comprehensive National Land-use Plan will go a long way in ensuring the rational utilisation of soil and land resources and help avoidance of land-use conflicts arising out of competing uses. In this way, resources will be optimally utilised and protected for posterity.

Housing in urban areas takes the greater proportion of land in relation to other urban activity areas, often over 35%.