Edwin Oluoch K’oyoo1, Leah Onyango2 and Emmanuel Midheme3
1,2,3,Department of Urban & Regional Planning,
P.O Box 4389-40103, Kondele, Kisumu – Kenya
Corresponding Author Email: edwinkoyoo@gmail.com
Abstract
Landscape residues after mine/quarry closure are usually scarred, distressed and disturbed. These landscapes referred to as brownfields are found in different sizes with negative spatial characteristics that pose ecological, social and visual problems. They are perceived as barriers, problem spaces and obstacles to beneficial land uses but with a lot of hidden potential for fast spreading urban developments. The rehabilitation of these post-mine brownfields is only possible after analysis of their spatial attributes and assessing their effects within the neighborhoods and city at large. The purpose of the study is to examine the spatial attributes of four former stone mining quarries within Kisumu City, Kenya. The study postulates that effective and successful reintegration of post-mine sites into beneficial uses through rehabilitation is only possible after analyzing the spatial attributes and effects they pose on the environment. The study was carried out through a case study of four post-mine brownfield sites purposively selected because of long history of stone mining and at the time of the study had stopped quarrying. Each of these sites became a unit of analysis upon which the study was anchored. The spatial attributes examined in this study included location, access, size, ownership and tenure, topography and drainage, flora and fauna, land uses, activities on site and lastly views within the sites. Onsite observation by the researcher was used to collect the primary data on spatial attributes. Photography and documentation using field observation guide was used to collect and present the primary data in addition to interviews with key informants that included the quarry land owners and officials charged with management of mining and environment. Desk review was undertaken to gather information on brownfields in different contexts. The study findings are presented through photos, tables and figures. The study revealed that the four sites were located within peri-urban areas under private land ownership. The sizes ranged from 0.45 to 1.2 hectares approximately. Negative attributes included uncontrolled dumping of wastes, waterlogging, untamed vegetation and unpleasant visual quality that affected aesthetics of immediate surrounding areas. The study recommends provision of alternative waste disposal areas if rehabilitation of the sites is to be planned and implemented into beneficial reuse options.
Keywords: Spatial attributes, Post-mine brownfields, Kisumu City, Peri-urban, spatial planning
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Suggested Citation (APA):
K’oyoo, E. O., Onyango, L., & Midheme, E. (2022). Examining and documenting spatial attributes of post-mine brownfields in Kisumu City, Kenya. International Journal of Environmental and Health Scieces, Vol. 1, 36-57, 2022. Available online at http://writersbureau.net/journals/ijehs/examining-and-documenting-spatial-attributes-of-post-mine-brownfields-in-kisumu-city-kenya.pdf
