Impact of rural-urban migration on development in Kigali

Gakwandi Canisius, Researcher

Context:In 2008 more than half its human population, 3, 3 billion people, will be living in urban areas. In Rwanda, like any other developing country, there is ample evidence to suggest that the level of urbanization is increasing. Consequently Kigali is currently battling the pressure of population increase, making it difficult for the city to accommodate the rapidly growing population and provide housing, urban services and employment opportunities. An estimated one million people share 722.3 square kilometers of land.With a population density rate of 322 persons/km², the availability of land is among the country’s chief constraints. Refereed to census and journal articles which depict aspects in recent pressure of rapid population in Kigali. Despite the government efforts in response to this problem, by launching an integrated massive low cost housing program for low-income families, majority of the population is living in informally developed housing, of poor conditions including street residents.