Housing typologies for the middle income of Kigali. Case study; Nyarugenge District

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to improve the well-being of the Nyarugenge people especially those from Mumena cell by providing them adequate architecture for their housing. Its objectives is to find how through architecture and better housing we can improve the quality of life the middle income people. There is lack of proper housing in Mumena. The housing facilities of middle income people are not of an acceptable quality for a country with a vision like Rwanda. There is evident need of upgrading the quality of housing of Nyarugenge. There is also lack of housing typologies for the middle income population of Nyarugenge. This thesis aim to provide housing typologies that satisfies the needs of the middle income of Nyarugenge This research was done using both qualitative and quantitative methods, where the qualitative methods emphasize on the quality of housing middle income people of Nyarugenge need in this time and in the future. The research was done by asking several questions to randomly chosen people found on site. It was be emphasized on the area of Mumena because that is where there is a potential of upgrading of existing housing, and is the area currently known being resided by the middle income. The criteria that was based on used in this research were the elements of housing, either as a unit or as a group of units. These criteria include the form of the houses itself and the form of the houses as an ensemble. The other criteria is the materials used in the construction of these houses because they affect the design and the cost if the house. The last criteria was the size of the houses. The data was collected in this research by first observation. The object of the observation was first the typologies of the houses that people live in at the moment. The other data collection method used in this research is the interview method. In sampling the people that would be interviewed the random method was used. After collecting all the data through the above mentioned methods and analyzing them, the data analyzed provide meaningful relation between data and results and the statistics which in turn give another image to the data. Hence, this provide a new perspective or view that did not exist before the research. Rwandese people need good and proper housing. It is important to provide solution to this issue of housing, especially among the middle income population.