Evaluation of public perception on viable options for reuse and integration of post-mine brownfields into the planned urban landscape of Kisumu City, Kenya

Abstract

Over time, urban development has spread into areas where mining activities were once carried out, hence the presence of degraded landscapes referred to as post-mine brownfields within the urban landscape. Brownfields constitute a poor fit into the urban realm and are largely seen as problem spaces. They are a safety concern due to crime and hazards associated with abandoned sites. They also take up vital urban land that could be used more productively, besides not being aesthetically appealing to residents of neighboring property. While there is need to rehabilitate Kisumu’s brownfields into more productive urban land uses, it is not clear how such rehabilitation should proceed since the spatial attributes of these sites is not known. Similarly, public perception of the effects of these sites on the living environment is not clearly understood; as are public preferences on possible options for planned reuse. The main objective of this study therefore is to evaluate the public perception on viable options for reuse and integration of post-mine brownfields into the planned urban landscape of Kisumu City. The specific objectives of the study are: to examine the spatial attributes of the post-mine brownfields; to assess the public perception of the effects of post-mine brownfields on the ecological and social environment; and to analyze public preferences on possible rehabilitation land uses that the brownfields can be planned into. Cross sectional research design was used, with the unit of analysis being the brownfields and households living within a 500-metre radius from each brownfield boundary. The study found out that each post-mine brownfield had unique spatial attributes, meaning that planning for rehabilitation must be site-specific. The brownfields were generally small with sizes ranging from 0.45 Ha to 1.2 Ha and were all privately-owned. They had depths ranging from 3 to 15 metres, which posed a risk of falling in. They were also characterized by waterlogging and illegal dumping of wastes, which presented health hazards. The respondents indicated that the most preferred reuse option was construction of public facilities like school, community hall. Since all the brownfields were located within residential areas, the study concluded that the public facilities proposed must be compatible with the surrounding residential land use. Meanwhile, since the sites are currently used as illegal dumpsites, alternative waste management practices would need to be planned for. The findings should inform both policy and practice on the rehabilitation of post-mine brownfields, not only in Kisumu but in other Kenyan cities as well.