An assessment of the socio-economic impacts of communities’ relocations: A case of the Nkurenkuru peri-urban area, Kavango west region, Namibia
At a global level, the neglect of rural farming communities, spurred by insufficient support and accelerated by urban expansion and land reform policies, has led to a surge in significant community relocations. This phenomenon, trigger profound socioeconomic impacts that disrupt communities' access to essential resources, education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Amid this backdrop, the study critically investigates the socioeconomic effects of relocation, particularly focusing induced urban expansion on peri-urban communities in Nkurenkuru, Namibia. The study used a qualitative research design, and face-to-face interviews were carried out with 16 respondents who have experienced relocation in the area, and four key informants from the constituency. This provided a well-rounded perspective on the effects of relocation on households and the decision-making and implementation processes surrounding it. The Livelihoods Framework theory was used to interpret the findings, whereas thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and generate themes from the qualitative data, thus aiding in the explanation of the study's findings. The findings revealed that before relocation, the respective community members were involved in a lot of socio-economic activities for their livelihoods on the land such as crop and livestock farming. However, the relocation led to worsened living conditions and reduced access to vital services, with a significant drop in household income, financial stability, and food security being experienced. Based on these findings, the study advises future urban planning decisions to consider the potential socio-economic repercussions of relocation by underscoring the importance of including communities and stakeholders in the process. Recommendations are given for improved community engagement, wider access to essential services, and inclusive stakeholder communication to ensure the welfare of the affected communities. This study substantially adds to the understanding of peri-urban relocation issues shedding light on the specific challenges faced by these communities, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of community relocations worldwide. The study highlights a clear need for governments to recognise and address the numerous negative effects associated with displacement, ranging from diminished living conditions to a lack of access to essential services
Rural-urban migration, Community relocation, Livelihoods, Urbanisation, Namibia, University of Namibia
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations