An assessment of the socio-economic impacts of communities’ relocations: A case of the Nkurenkuru peri-urban area, Kavango west region, Namibia
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Date
2025
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University of Namibia
Abstract
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
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Development Studies
Keywords
Rural-urban migration, Community relocation, Livelihoods, Urbanisation, Namibia, University of Namibia