4.5 Housing
regulation in Kigali city
Before the establishment and approval of Kigali conceptual
master plan in 2007, there was no specific guiding blueprint for housing and
infrastructure development in Kigali city apart from broader policies, laws and
regulations (established by the city council) to control housing development.
Regulations by Kigali city council had their basis on the laws and policies in
place established by the government. These regulations were implemented by the
lower local government authorities (districts, sectors, cells and Imidugudu).
The regulations were not fully enforced by all local leaders since some of them
(local leaders) were influenced by corruption and could tolerate illegal
buildings. This led to the continuous growth of informal settlements even
though these regulations and laws were in place. Below we discuss some of the
policies and laws that are based on to regulate housing development in Kigali
city:
A national consultative process that took place in village
Urugwiro in 1998-99 resulted into Rwanda's vision 2020. This vision is a basis
for policies and laws developed since its establishment. Vision 2020
acknowledges that Rwanda is characterized by low but accelerating urbanization.
This has happened in a rapid and uncoordinated manner, meaning
that social services and employment opportunities are lagging behind. Vision
2020 anticipated that from then (1999) until 2010,each town will have regularly
updated urban master plans and specific land management plans.
It is in line with vision 2020 that Kigali conceptual master
plan was established in 2007 and district municipal master plans. According to
Kigali conceptual master plan, a long range vision for how development might
occur over the next 50-100 years to accommodate another 2-3 million people is
provided. While this might seem like a long time into the future, urban
planning experience shows that by establishing along range plan for key
infrastructure and systems early on, they can guide future incremental growth
with carethoughtfulness, concern for real human needs, citizen participation,
cost effectiveness and efficiency.
The goal of this plan is not to control the growth of Kigali
in an authoritarian way, but to provide the framework and flexibility to prompt
a long term process that is guided by Rwandans as they shape their capital city
incrementally, responding to changing needs; and that creates a vibrant, unique
and truly Rwandan city. Subarea master plans have been established for
different parts of Kigali city while others are underway. Implementation has
already started in some areas such as Muhima, Akumunigo in Nyamirambo, and
Kimicanga. Any building to be erected must conform to the respective subarea
master plan. In case land is needed for the development in public interest, it
is acquired from private owners through expropriation. The expropriated persons
are relocated to a new site primarily designed for residential use. An example
is the relocation of former residents of Ubumwe cell in Muhima sector to
Batsinda in Kinyinya sector of Gasabo district.
Unlike in the past, no new building or even any upgrading on
the existing building can be done without the building permit from the relevant
officials at the district level. In case a person wants to build a house or
upgrade his/her house must pass through the Umudugudu, cell and sector
officials who confirm that the land belongs to that person and that it is found
in that area where he/she wishes to build the house. When the seeker of the
building permit meets the requirements, he/she is given an authorization.
Leaders at the Umudugudu must make thorough supervision to ensure that no
building is erected without the license from the district. Any building found
to have been erected without authorization is demolished by the sector
officials with permission from the district. These procedures are more
respected by local authorities than in the past because any illegal tolerance
is punished by law.
In 2008, national urban housing policy was established to
guide Government objectives and priorities in line with the objectives as laid
down particularly in the Vision 2020, the EDPRS, and the National Investment
Strategy (MININFRA, 2008). According to the aims of Vision 2020, about 30% of
the population will live in planned cities with access to basic infrastructure
necessary to ensure sustainable development. This policy proposes the
establishment of a regulatory body, an Urban Development Board to manage the
development of urban areas and urban housing in particular. This body will
regulate the issues concerned with allocation of land, its development,
standards associated with housing and construction, private and public estate
development among other functions.
Two years after the establishment of the national urban
housing policy (2010), Rwanda housing authority was established as a public
institution to implement the national housing and construction policy through
coordination, conception, development, monitoring and evaluation of actions and
programs set out in its mission. Currently in its early stage of work, the
Rwanda housing authority (RHA) evaluates district municipal land use master
plans and is setting relevant regulation documents. Rwanda housing authority
serves as the overall project manager on the behalf of the state for all
projects related to housing and construction.
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