Tackling of the Problem of Squatter Settlements in Kosti Town, with Special Emphasis on Abu Sharif Replanning Scheme

Abstract

Physical planning is a science aims to investigate in the most appropriate ways for the utilization of the available resources to fulfill socio-economic objectives. But the planning cannot fulfill its objectives unless the adequate models are applied. Although some models of planning seemed to be the most suitable when applied in some cases, it is a necessary to be suitable in other cases. Hence this research aims to evaluate the housing polices adopted in tackling squatter settlements in regional cities in Sudan, taking Kosti Town as a case study, since Kosti Town, according to its location, became a pull centre that attracted migrants from different parts of the country. The direct reasons behind recent migration to Kosti Town caused by the drought which hit Kurdofan region, on one hand and to the civil war in the southern part of the country on the other hand, in addition to the normal rural-urban migration. Since Kosti represents the main urban centre in the White Nile State. The recent deterioration of the White Nile Agricultural Schemes encouraged the rural-urban migration to Kosti Town. This research is prepared in five stages, the first one is concerned with the definition of the problem plus the objectives of the study. The problem of the research can be briefed in that the models adopted in tackling squatter settlement problem, specially those based on planning laws, are not coping with regional cities. Hence one of the main hypothesis of the research is that the model of the replanning which is based on the replanning ordinance of 1950 does not suit regional cities like Kosti. So one of the main objectives of the study is to trace reasons behind slow implementation of replanning schemes emphasizing on Abu Sharief Replanning Scheme in Kosti Town. Also one of the important objective of this study is to work out a migration model so as to create some regional barriers “regional stations” to receive migrants in order to reduce the rate of migration to the capital. The second stage of the research is connected with data collection. The relevant data have been collected from various publications, reports and direct interviews. The third stage is devoted to the spatial development of Kosti town as a direct impact of the continuous migrations to the town, connected with the physical entity of squatter settlements and their repercussions as a normal component of the housing problem. The fourth stage is allocated to evaluation of housing policies adopted in Kosti town, mainly those adopted towards squatters with special emphasis on Abu Sharif replanning Scheme. The practice of Abu Sharif Replanning Scheme can be phased into two phases. Phase one (1976-1990) through which the traditional replanning model is adopted. But through this phase no significant progress could be mentioned at the scheme level. Phase two (1990-1994) through which another model is adopted, not heavily relying on the replanning law, however the scheme registered a significant progress. This over shadows that the conventional replanning model does not suit such a case. The last stage of the research is concerned with the creation of an efficient model coping with the significance of the regional city in Sudan. Thus the research ended with guidelines and recommendations.