The effect of urbanization on protected areas. The impact of urban growth on a wildlife protected area: a case study of Nairobi National Park

The world is becoming progressively more urbanized; urbanization rates are increasing at an unprecedented rate in the developing world, particularly in Africa and Asia. While the growth of cities has reflected man’s advancement and achievement, there have also been some negative effects, especially on the natural environment. The problems stem from the fact that urban expansion has been sometimes haphazard and unplanned; the result has been habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.

This paper examines how protected areas are under threat and subject to pressure due to urbanization. The underlying problem is a lack of integrated planning, because urban planners and park managers are divorced from each other’s work. A case study of a protected area in Kenya, Nairobi National Park, is undertaken for this paper. The park, which is located in the city, faces important challenges – these may lead to its demise. Space for wild animals is being taken over by human settlements; the economic and environmental ramifications of this are identified in the paper.

Worryingly, current national policies propagate urbanization without giving due consideration to the impact on protected areas and the environment in general. There are initiatives in place to counteract the impact of urban sprawl on Nairobi National Park; these measures are rooted in collaborative efforts that have resulted in instrumental partnerships to lobby and work for the park’s survival.