Protection of Natural Wetlands through Landscape Design in Kigali City

Abstract

The city of Kigali has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years. The city enjoys a variety of natural features such as wetland, valley, hill, and great scenery, however, fast expansion of urban areas and human activities could pose a serious threat to the natural environment, and the ecological sustainability. While wetlands, as nature’s kidneys, bring obvious benefits to both ecology and the socioeconomic environment, they have currently faced several problems in Kigali, such as pollution and the risk of decline in the area. This research is aimed at protection of wetland areas through landscape design, which could have a positive influence on maintaining the natural balance of ecology, as well as citizens’ health and well-being. The site study was Kiyovu wetland as one of large wetlands playing a vital role in the city’s character and spatial structure. The research employed observation, questionnaire, and mapping techniques, and the random sample consisted of 37 residents, workers, passers-by, and young people. Findings revealed that safety, environmental issues, accessibility, recreational activities, and quality of the wetland, were significant factors in order of priority that respondents had stressed over the design of the wetland landscape concept. The proposed concept highlighted recreation areas and the connection with other wetlands and green areas as a whole in the city, and it was derived from survey, mapping the results of questionnaires, and feedback from participants. In conclusion, Kiyovu wetland has an enormous capacity to put the idea of green magnet into effect across the city. However, the protection of wetlands without 1. Site-specific ecological landscape plans representing strategic and design levels in periods of time, 2. Legal requirements, and 3. Public awareness about impacts of wetlands degradation would be far less effective. To set up a campaign and a task force to examine changes can make a huge difference to levels of progress and performance