Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2009
Little has been documented on the hidden relationship between environmental factors and pollutant... more Little has been documented on the hidden relationship between environmental factors and pollutants spreading from municipal dumpsites in Zimbabwe (DNR, 1993; Chenje et al, 1998; Masocha, 2004), yet such information can be useful for urban land use planning purposes to safeguard both people and the environment against pollution and its related effects. This study aims to evaluate the role of environmental factors in the distribution of pollutants around Gweru dumpsite. It also determined whether there is a significant (p<0.05) relationship between the concentration levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and sulphides (SO2) and environmental factors - specifically slope, soil bulk density, stream flow direction, soil infiltration rate, and distance from the dumpsite. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was used to input process and analyze both spatial and attribute data. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) revealed that there is a significant (p<0.05) relationship between th...
Zimbabwe experienced a crippling hyperinflationary economic environment, which created a nation o... more Zimbabwe experienced a crippling hyperinflationary economic environment, which created a nation of poverty-stricken billionaires over the past decade until it adopted the multicurrency system (MCS) in January 2009. The paper explores on the impact of the change in monetary regime on socio-economic conditions of urban dwellers, given their overreliance on the market economy and vulnerability to its fluctuations. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observations were used targeting household heads, school heads, and sister in charge of the local clinic. The research found that although the multicurrency system has generally improved the quality of life for the majority of people, they still remain in poverty if one considers the quality of life indicators, like the national poverty datum line. There was great change in nature and patterns of sources of income, particularly for informal traders, a sector which had become the backbone of almost all households’ i...
Since the year 2000, the city of Gweru has had an unprecedented proliferation of unattended potho... more Since the year 2000, the city of Gweru has had an unprecedented proliferation of unattended potholes on most of its roads. These potholes have caused discomfort to the motoring public, caused death to others and damaged vehicles. This paper presents the results o f a study that sought to establish the spatial distribution of potholes and determine their socio-economic impacts in Gweru’s residential areas. Pothole location and dimensions were measured in the field whilst interviews and questionnaires were administered to vehicle owners, motor mechanic experts, drivers and the travelling public to determine their socio-economic and mechanical impacts. Stratified, convenience and purposive sampling methods were used in the selection of study streets and respondents to questionnaires and interviews. Results revealed that potholes are more concentrated in high density residential areas compared to low density areas. This is primarily due to the substandard construction of roads done in...
Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 2009
Little has been documented on the hidden relationship between environmental factors and pollutant... more Little has been documented on the hidden relationship between environmental factors and pollutants spreading from municipal dumpsites in Zimbabwe (DNR, 1993; Chenje et al, 1998; Masocha, 2004), yet such information can be useful for urban land use planning purposes to safeguard both people and the environment against pollution and its related effects. This study aims to evaluate the role of environmental factors in the distribution of pollutants around Gweru dumpsite. It also determined whether there is a significant (p<0.05) relationship between the concentration levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and sulphides (SO2) and environmental factors - specifically slope, soil bulk density, stream flow direction, soil infiltration rate, and distance from the dumpsite. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was used to input process and analyze both spatial and attribute data. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) revealed that there is a significant (p<0.05) relationship between th...
Zimbabwe experienced a crippling hyperinflationary economic environment, which created a nation o... more Zimbabwe experienced a crippling hyperinflationary economic environment, which created a nation of poverty-stricken billionaires over the past decade until it adopted the multicurrency system (MCS) in January 2009. The paper explores on the impact of the change in monetary regime on socio-economic conditions of urban dwellers, given their overreliance on the market economy and vulnerability to its fluctuations. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observations were used targeting household heads, school heads, and sister in charge of the local clinic. The research found that although the multicurrency system has generally improved the quality of life for the majority of people, they still remain in poverty if one considers the quality of life indicators, like the national poverty datum line. There was great change in nature and patterns of sources of income, particularly for informal traders, a sector which had become the backbone of almost all households’ i...
Since the year 2000, the city of Gweru has had an unprecedented proliferation of unattended potho... more Since the year 2000, the city of Gweru has had an unprecedented proliferation of unattended potholes on most of its roads. These potholes have caused discomfort to the motoring public, caused death to others and damaged vehicles. This paper presents the results o f a study that sought to establish the spatial distribution of potholes and determine their socio-economic impacts in Gweru’s residential areas. Pothole location and dimensions were measured in the field whilst interviews and questionnaires were administered to vehicle owners, motor mechanic experts, drivers and the travelling public to determine their socio-economic and mechanical impacts. Stratified, convenience and purposive sampling methods were used in the selection of study streets and respondents to questionnaires and interviews. Results revealed that potholes are more concentrated in high density residential areas compared to low density areas. This is primarily due to the substandard construction of roads done in...
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