Environmental problems among low income urban residents: an empirical analysis of old Naledi-Gaborone, Botswana

This study investigates the profile, dynamics and dimensions of environmental problems at Old Naledi, a low income urban neighbourhood in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. It is based on documentary and field research. The field research has a participatory component involving meetings, discussions and open- ended interviews with the interested and affected persons. It also involves the administration of a structured survey questionnaire to 171 resident respondents. The main findings of the study are that residents have made great efforts in improving the availability of the housing stock. However, in the process they have failed to abide by the stipulated Development Control code and Urban Development Standards. This essentially reflects the increasing non-affordability of land and costs of construction materials to urban low income groups due to evolving state policy in the provisioning of shelter. The direct result has been a congested, overcrowded settlement. Because of this, and a rapidly increasing population, there has been underservicing and the emergence of life-threatening home and neighbourhood environmental problems.