Abstract:
This thesis addresses the pressing issue of urban sprawl management in Kigali City, Rwanda, amidst rapid urbanization. As urban population growth outpaces rural growth, the city faces escalating pressure on infrastructure, housing deficits, and encroachment on agricultural lands. The enforcement of compliance to the Kigali Master Plan and zoning regulations has not effectively curbed the unauthorized urban expansion due to limited monitoring mechanisms. To address this challenge, the research proposes developing a tailored geospatial application to effectively monitor local communities’ compliance to Kigali Master Plan and related zoning regulations. The study's objectives include exploring global geospatial solutions, identifying suitable models for Kigali, developing the application and evaluating its efficacy. The methodology involved a thorough review of literature on zoning regulation enforcement mechanisms, complemented by interviews with building inspectors in Kigali City which provided practical insights into the challenges of zoning compliance and guided the development of the application. The GIS-based application was developed using Survey123 Connect, WebApp Builder, and Dashboard on ArcGIS Online through Low-Code/No-Code process. The developed application integrates citizen-reported data with the Land Administration Information System, the Building Permit Management Information System, the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and the Kigali City Master Plan. Testing of the application confirmed its efficiency and effectiveness in addressing zoning compliance issues. Challenges included the limited availability of BPMIS data due to the lack of a current public API. The application’s syntax, which classifies construction based on the reporter's location, may also miss multiple zones within a single land parcel. Furthermore, data quality could be compromised by weather conditions; however, this can be addressed with solutions like Continuously Operating Reference Stations. Overall, this study provides a robust framework for urban planning authorities to manage zoning compliance effectively amidst rapid urbanization and informal settlements, promoting sustainable urban development practices tailored to Kigali's unique dynamics.
