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ution of surrounding zones (sub-urban and rural areas). In 2010, each city will have an Urban Master Plan and Land Use Management Plans. Basic infrastructure will be constructed in the urban centres and in other development areas in order to relieve rural areas from the effects of overpopulation in favor of the urbanization programme.

2.8.3. Development of housing and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS)

Adopted in September, 2007, EDPRS specifies the priorities to be achieved during the five-year period 2007-2012. It specifically emphasizes planning and development of urban and rural human settlement in conformity with the criteria of environmental viability through the reorganization of national space. Urban areas must develop through the creation of market opportunities for rural economies so as to ensure sustainability and progress. To this end, the development of the urban environment must be based on strategies which stimulate economic growth (GDP), the provision of services, and employment creation so that the vulnerable and the poorest of the poor people may be integrated.

Finally, publicly-owned establishments will be sheltered in comfortable buildings in conformity with the need for fast and quality services.

2.8.3.1. Changing Urban- Rural Dynamics

Poverty is a predominantly rural phenomenon – to some extent, in the words of the World Bank, “this reflects the relative neglect of the rural areas in post-conflict reconstruction process in Rwanda as external funding provided development and employment opportunities for urban dwellers but primarily humanitarian relief to rural communities.” [26] As in other parts of the world, funding tends to accumulate in administrative centres and capital cities. Future poverty alleviation strategies such as the EDPRS should ensure that adequate funding is devoted to rural areas [27]

While the national goal is that 30% of the population will be urbanized by 2020, it is also a goal that the, “urban environment is protected against all kinds of pollution and the city is no longer a source of pollution for the neighbouring rural milieu.”30 Urbanization requires that attention is paid to low income areas and towns which will continue to expand rapidly in the coming years. This implies a link between poverty and the environment – urban areas, which generally have a concentration of higher-income groups, often generate harmful waste products (solid, liquid, and airborne pollutants). For instance, the pollution of water sources serving Kigali City is more a result of industrial and economic activities taking place in the swamps and valleys than waste disposal by the poor, yet these water bodies constitute the principal source of free water to the poor.

The Kigali City Master Plan gives a detailed account of the design and structure of roads and dwelling areas in Kigali City. It also lays down strategies for combating the effects of natural hazards like floods. However, there appears to be no concrete implementation strategy for the plan to date. There are also some concerns that the informal housing rights of the poor may not be adequately protected in the development plan.

Although 87% of Rwanda’s population live in the rural areas or on the periphery of urban centres, lack of income opportunities which are not based on agriculture and natural resources force many to temporarily move