Everyone needs a shelter especially when the weather conditions are extreme. Thanks to architects and civil engineers who draw and design our places of residence. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, expects that by 2020 the nation will achieve 35% urbanization which will increase the demand for housing facilities. The “Housing Market Study” which was done in 2012 indicated that Kigali city would require 340, 000 new housing units by 2012. This implies that the city needs 34, 000 housing units annually. Moreover, 86% of the housing units should be lost cost houses, 13% social housing and 1% premium housing.
Several housing units have been developed but what factors should be considered before erecting these buildings to achieve the nation’s vision? The first factor is proximity to social amenities and schools. Every morning, school buses carry children to school, and in the evening we see the same trend. Parents also travel to and from the workplace and getting a house near your workplace and school for children is key.
The topography of the land is also important since according to the urban planning policies, people should not live in an area with a slope greater than 20%. There are other non-physical but socio-cultural factors that we should also factor in such as the size of the family. Obviously, a bigger family would require a bigger house. One’s commitments to some aspects or beliefs also influence where to stay, for instance, a Muslim may not stay next to an area where pigs farming is taking place.
The financial command of someone also influences the choice of a dwelling place. Those who earn more can spend time in luxurious homes far from workplace since they might also be owning cars. On the other hand, the poor in the society may look for low-cost housing facilities. All these groups compose the society and should be catered for during planning.