School of Built Environment (SBE) Collections

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 401
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    Assessing the significance of schedule management in facilitating schedule compliance for the successful project completion in renovation projects
    (Makerere University, 2024) Karungi, Prunella Nielsen
    Effective schedule management is integral to the construction industry, facilitating timely project completion, meeting project requirements, and proactively addressing potential risks to achieve project objectives. Serving as a fundamental pillar, it fosters alignment among stakeholders and enables seamless collaboration among project team members. With the construction industry evolving and operations growing more complex, schedule management assumes increasing importance, especially in light of recent challenges witnessed. Construction scheduling entails organizing activities and their sequencing within a project, serving as a project management tool that outlines the project's execution roadmap. It not only structures activities and tasks but also establishes the overall project timeline, including milestones. The primary challenge for any construction project management system is to achieve project completion within the designated timeframe and budget constraints. Factors such as unclear project goals, scope and budget creep, and miscommunications contribute significantly to this challenge. In this paper, the author discusses the project schedule management strategies employed as a Quantity Surveyor during Phase 1 of the Refurbishment, Remodeling, and Extension of a Multi-Unit County complex in Luwero District. The paper delves into the importance of schedule adherence, the obstacles encountered in achieving it, and methods for improving compliance with project timelines. Through an in-depth examination of pertinent literature and case studies, the manuscript evaluates the ramifications of schedule deviations on project outcomes and presents best practices for mitigating delays. Additionally, it explores the contributions of technology, stakeholder collaboration, and proactive risk management to enhance schedule compliance. By addressing these fundamental aspects, stakeholders in the construction industry can optimize project efficiency and ensure successful project completion within designated timeframes.
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    Development of local speed-flow models accounting for road condition to facilitate reliable traffic assignment procedures
    (Makerere University, 2024) Kisuule, Henry Simon
    Traffic assignment models, integral to the four-step urban travel demand modelling process, utilize speed-flow functions to depict the interaction between speed and traffic volume. This, in turn, informs the assignment of traffic across network links. The commonly used speed-flow functions such as the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) function, were developed in the 1960s. With changes in traffic flow conditions, there is a pressing need to update these models, particularly to accommodate the characteristics of unpaved roads prevalent in developing countries like Uganda. This study sought to address the above limitation by developing local speed-flow functions that take into account road conditions i.e. differentiating between paved and unpaved roads. The research utilized data gathered from a selection of roadways in Uganda, where traffic data was recorded using high-definition CCTV cameras and analysed with the aid of Python programming language. The developed local models have calibrated shape parameters 𝛼 and 𝛽, which are crucial for accurately representing traffic dynamics. The 𝛼 coefficient indicates the ratio of travel time per unit distance at practical capacity relative to the free-flow speed. This means that it reflects how travel time increases as roads approach their maximum capacity. On the other hand, the 𝛽 parameter determines the rate at which the estimated average speed decreases from the free-flow speed as the volume-to-capacity ratio (v/c) increases. In simpler terms, 𝛽 shows how quickly congestion impacts travel speeds. For paved roads, the local models had 𝛼 values of 0.98 and 𝛽 values of 5.71. For gravel roads, the models had 𝛼 values of 0.71 and 𝛽 values of 6.25. These parameters provide a more accurate representation of traffic flow and road pavement conditions in Uganda. When compared with the BPR function, the developed local models displayed superior fit with lower root mean square error and lower average relative error values. Additionally, the study provides roadway capacity ranges for gravel roads between 830 to 1,192 passenger car units (pcu) per hour per lane, and for paved roads, from 964 to 1,348 pcu per hour per lane. These findings contribute valuable insights into the planning and management of road networks in Uganda, demonstrating the importance of context-specific traffic models
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    Assessing the effectiveness of Certificates of Occupancy (COs) in enhancing land use practices on Mailo land: a case of Madudu Subcounty in Mubende District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Lutaaya, Richard
    This study assessed the effectiveness of Certificates of Occupancy (COs) in enhancing land use practices on Mailo land in Madudu Subcounty, Mubende District. It was guided by three objectives: to examine land use practices on Mailo land before the issuance of COs, to assess land use practices after the issuance of COs, and to evaluate the perceived effect of COs on land use enhancement. A descriptive cross-sectional research design with a comparative component was employed, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data was collected through purposive sampling involving questionnaires administered to 30 tenants with COs and 30 without, interviews with 9 key informants, and non-participant structured observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23 with outputs presented in tables, bar graphs, and pie charts while qualitative data were analyzed thematically through content analysis. Findings revealed that, prior to CO issuance, land use was predominantly subsistence-oriented, marked by seasonal cropping, temporary housing, and environmentally detrimental practices such as deforestation and wetland cultivation mainly driven by tenure insecurity. Post-issuance, COs to some extent, significantly improved land use through enhanced tenure security, leading to increased cultivation of perennial crops like coffee and bananas, adoption of sustainable farming practices such as mulching and crop rotation, construction of more permanent structures, reduced land fragmentation, and improved environmental management. The study highlighted an overwhelming positive perception that COs are a catalyst in improving land use practices on Mailo land. The comparative component demonstrated that tenants without COs mainly practiced subsistence farming, focused on seasonal crops, used semi-permanent structures, and showed minimal investment in land improvement and sustainable practices though many expressed a desire to obtain COs. Challenges identified include unauthorized CO sales, illegal land subdivisions, poor integration with the National Land Information System and physical planning frameworks, and limited access to agricultural extension services. The study concludes that COs have significantly enhanced land use practices on Mailo land in Mubende district, though their full potential is hindered by systemic and policy gaps. It recommends expanding agricultural extension services and enforcing CO land use guide lines to promote sustainable land use.
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    Effectiveness of urban physical planning committees in the implementation of physical development plans: the case of Jinja Municipality 2009 - 2019
    (Makerere University, 2025) Arochu, Robert
    This study examined the effectiveness of the Urban Physical Planning Committee in Jinja Municipality, Uganda, in implementing the Physical Development Plan from 2009 to 2019. Conducted within the context of rapid urbanization in developing regions, like Uganda, the study focused on Jinja Municipality (now City) due to its unique historical and functional significance in urban planning, providing a rich context for evaluating the performance of Urban Physical Planning Committees. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the Urban Physical Planning Committees in implementing the Physical Development Plan, with specific objectives including examining the roles of Urban Physical Planning Committees, evaluating land use conformance, and determining approaches for improved Physical Development Plan implementation. A mixed-methods research design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, including in-depth interviews, site visits, document reviews, and Geographic Information System analysis. The findings show that the Jinja Municipality Physical Planning Committee has been moderately effective in implementing the Physical Development Plan, with an overall effectiveness rate of 54.45%, but faced significant challenges such as limited resources, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and institutional weaknesses. These factors have led to discrepancies between planned and actual landuse and urban development, resulting in issues like incompatible land use, urban sprawl, and the proliferation of informal settlements. The study recommends better resource allocation, stronger governance frameworks, enhanced community engagement, and the use of advanced technologies like Geographic Information Systems for monitoring and enforcement. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of urban planning, Urban Physical Planning Committees, and implementation of Physical Development Plans in rapidly growing cities. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development and the implementation of Physical Development Plans, emphasizing the need for robust governance, adequate resources, and active stakeholder participation to enhance the effectiveness of Physical Planning Committees in the implementation of Physical Development Plans in Jinja and developing regions.
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    Assessment of the potential for implementing Transit-Oriented Development in Mbarara City
    (Makerere University, 2025) Muringe, Gerald
    Mbarara City, Uganda’s second-largest urban centre, is experiencing rapid urbanisation, leading to increased automobile dependence, inefficient land use patterns, and fragmented growth. These challenges have resulted in traffic congestion, increased travel distances, and unsustainable development. Therefore, there is a pressing need for integrated planning approaches that align land use and transportation systems to guide compact, accessible, and resilient urban development. This study aimed to assess the potential for implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Mbarara City. The specific objectives were to identify and map relevant spatial indicators, compute the Potential TOD Index, and determine TOD hotspots within the city. A spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA) integrated with GIS was used to analyse four TOD criteria: density, diversity, design, and economic development. Indicators were computed, standardised, and weighted based on expert input. Spatial statistical techniques, including Global Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi*, were applied to assess clustering and identify significant TOD-ready zones. The results revealed a clear core–periphery pattern. Higher Potential TOD Index values and significant clustering were found in the central wards of Kakoba, Kamukuzi, and Nyamitanga, which exhibit dense, mixed-use development and economic activity supportive of TOD. In contrast, peripheral wards displayed low index scores due to low density, limited land use diversity, and weak connectivity, indicating low immediate TOD readiness. The spatial clustering confirmed that TOD interventions should be geographically prioritised rather than uniformly applied. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that TOD can be effectively implemented in Mbarara’s urban core to address automobile dependence, improve land use efficiency, and guide sustainable growth. Policymakers and planners are encouraged to prioritise investments in TOD hotspots while gradually enhancing conditions in near-ready areas and adopting alternative sustainable urban models where TOD is currently unfeasible.