Urbanisation-in-Namibia

Urbanisation in Namibia4. Summary and RecommendationsThe study concluded that urbanisation is a process that is good for business and economicdevelopment. The movement of people to urban areas brings with it opportunities to earnincome, and increased buying power. Urbanisation has also contributed to increased numberof men and women accessing good education, specifically tertiary education. Family membersin rural areas have also benefitted through receiving remittances and other assistances fromtheir children working in urban areas. Increased use of information, communication andtechnology (ICT) is another benefit of urbanisation.The main reasons why people move from rural to urban areas is to seek for employment andeducation opportunities. These reasons are simirial for people moving to Windhoek city andto other towns under study. The influx of people to urban areas has resulted in expansion ofinformal settlements in most towns of Namibia, causing high demand for services in urbanareas (i.e. electricity, water, sewerage etc). There is need for formal housing in most towns ofNamibia, especially to cater for the low income earners in order to avoid illegal occupation ofunserviced land.Another challenge facing municipalities and town council in Namibia is the demand for landas in most cases they are expected to buy land from the nearby communal and commercialfarmers and villagers to expand town boundaries. High unemployment and income inequalityare also some of the challenges may lead to increased crime in urban areas.A number of recommendations have emanated from the study. They are presented as follows:• The implementation of decentralisation programme should be strengthened andsupported.• Development of master plans for all proclaimed towns should be in place to ensurelong term town expansion.• Enhance employment opportunities for people in rural areas.• There is also need to expand on road infrastructure to accommodate the increasingtraffic in city and towns; expand on recreational services as well as build low incomehouses.• Due to increase on informal settlements in city and towns, provision of ablution facilitiesshould be improved to minimize the spread of infectious diseases.• There is need for the government to continuously improve facilities and services inrural areas in an effort to discourage the influx of people to urban areas.20