Strategic planning for urban sustainable development: Challenges and opportunities facing selected towns in Western Kenya

ABSTRACT: The rapid increase in urban populations in Kenya has awakened development partners to consider their sustainability. Sustainable development principles are hinged on the principles; economically viability, social acceptability and environmental friendly developments. To achieve sustainable development of urban towns, there is need to develop strategic development plans and digital mapping. This paper will discuss challenges facing selected Kenyan towns in developing strategic urban development and digital mapping. The paper will provide some recommendations towards achieving sustainable development. The objectives of the study are to identify planning and development challenges facing middle level towns in Kenya and how they can be urbanised through establishing digital maps and strategic plans. The paper utilizes data collected from two urban towns in Kenya namely; Eldoret and Busia. Data was collected using household schedules, observation and interviews from a sample of 505 households and forty key informants. Some of the challenges identified by respondents include; lack/high demand for land, unplanned/uncontrolled development, rapid increase in population, solid waste and waste water disposal. The paper recommends the integration of sustainable development principles into urban policy and laws. Digital mapping and strategic development plans should be promoted to facilitated ease of information to development partners and reduce urban squalid conditions. Conference Theme: Sustainability and Urbanis

Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of older adults in the Lake Victoria Basin of East Africa: region, sex, and age differences

Background: Malnutrition, either as undernutrition or overnutrition, leads to detrimental alterations in body composition. The objective of this study was to investigate selected anthropometric measurements, and the nutritional status of older men and women living in the Lake Victoria Basin. This was a cross-sectional study

Nutritional vulnerability of older persons living in urban areas of Lake Victoria Basin in East Africa: a cross sectional survey.

DOI: 10.1080/21551197.2012.647562The aim of this study was to (1) determine the prevalence of malnutrition and (2) investigate factors affecting nutritional status of older persons living in urban areas of Lake Victoria Basin. The prevalence of underweight was 16.5%, with men (24.1%) being significantly more likely to be underweight (P < 0.05) than women (12.3%). Overall, 61.2% had normal body mass indices, 13.2% were overweight, and 9.1% were obese. Energy intake was low (1596.3-1630.5 Kcal), with only 22% and 38% of men and women, respectively, meeting their daily requirements. Protein intake was adequate in more than half of men and women. Vitamin A, iron, and zinc intakes were moderate, while calcium intake was low (P < 0.05). Inadequate food access, poor health, living arrangements, and poor eating patterns were the main nutritional risk factors. There is a need to plan nutrition programs that can improve living conditions, health, and nutritional status of older adults in these urban areas of the Lake Victoria Basin