Electricity is an integral part of human society; it drives sociotechnical and economic developments while wielding the ability to destroy human society – without it, life comes to a grinding halt, while a slight excess of the same can lead to the wanton destruction of valuable property and loss of lives. It is the quality of electricity that determines whether electricity will sustain or destroy property and life.
Most Kenyans have at one point or another experienced a power disruption of some sort; with those who have yet to, probably being among the many Kenyans who either still depend on biomass (e.g. firewood, charcoal and agricultural wastes) or use it as a substitute for expensive electricity. These include rural communities, the urban poor, and the informal sector.
This study focuses on Kisumu’s electricity distribution network for several reasons but mainly so because 1) it is one of the city’s most critical infrastructures that often gets affected whenever disasters, both acute and chronic, strike and 2) the effects emanating from all manners of electricity disruptions, be they planned or unplanned, often have the adverse effect of affecting, both directly and indirectly, the physical, environmental, social, and economic aspects of the city and Kenya at large.
The overall objective of this research is to generate empirical findings that establish the resilience of Kisumu city to electric disruptions and how this can be enhanced. Thus, in order to realize this objective, the following primary research question is posed: How can the resilience of Kisumu city to electricity disruptions be enhanced? To answer this question, a mixed methods case study research design of an exploratory nature will be adopted.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction.
- Problem Statement
- Research Objectives and Questions
- Significance of the Research Study.
- Measuring Urban Resilience to Electricity Disruptions
- The Sociotechnical and Socioecological Aspects of Urban Resilience.
- Sociotechnical Resilience.
- Socioecological Resilience
- Research Design, Methods and Data.
- Research Design.
- Case Study Design .....
- Data Collection..........\li>
- Quantitative Data
- Qualitative Data – Semi-structured Expert Interviews
- Sampling
- References......
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2......
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research study aims to understand the resilience of urban areas to electricity disruptions, with a focus on the Kisumu Central Sub-County in Kenya. The study investigates the sociotechnical and socioecological aspects of urban resilience, exploring how these factors influence the ability of the urban system to withstand and adapt to electricity disruptions.
- Urban Resilience to Electricity Disruptions
- Sociotechnical Resilience
- Socioecological Resilience
- Case Study of Kisumu Central Sub-County
- Data Collection and Analysis
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by highlighting the critical role of electricity in modern society. It discusses the challenges posed by electricity disruptions and emphasizes the need for urban resilience. The chapter also presents the problem statement, research objectives, and the significance of the study.
- Measuring Urban Resilience to Electricity Disruptions: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework for understanding urban resilience to electricity disruptions. It explores two key dimensions of resilience, namely sociotechnical resilience and socioecological resilience. Each dimension is explained with its relevance to urban systems.
- Research Design, Methods and Data: This chapter outlines the research methodology employed in the study. It details the research design, case study approach, data collection methods, and sampling techniques used to gather data for analysis. The chapter also distinguishes between quantitative and qualitative data, providing an overview of how both are used to address the research questions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text include urban resilience, electricity disruptions, sociotechnical resilience, socioecological resilience, case study, Kisumu Central Sub-County, Kenya, data collection, quantitative data, qualitative data, expert interviews, sampling, power quality problems, power outages, power surges, energy trends, energy demand, energy supply, distribution network, hydro, thermal, geothermal, wind, solar, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). These keywords encapsulate the primary concepts and research foci of the study, shedding light on the complex interplay between urban systems, energy infrastructure, and the challenges of ensuring sustainable and resilient urban environments.
- Citation du texte
- B W Namano (Auteur), 2017, Enhancing Urban Resilience to Electricity Disruptions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371577
