An Examination of Municipal Services delivered to Low Cost Housing Areas: A Comparative Study of Mikomfwa Formal and Fisenge Informal Low Cost Housing Are in Luanshya Municipal Council

Abstract

This comparative study examines the quality of municipal service delivery in Mikomfwa (formal) and Fisenge (informal) low-cost housing areas within Luanshya Municipal Council. The study aims to assess the types of municipal services provided, evaluate their adequacy, examine their accessibility, and determine residents’ satisfaction with these services in both areas. By comparing disparities in service delivery between formal and informal settlements, the study seeks to identify effective policy interventions that can enhance equitable urban governance and improve living conditions for residents in both contexts. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative research designs. The study adopted a descriptive and exploratory research design, using random sampling to select a representative sample of community members (respondents) and purposive sampling to select key informants, such as local authorities and community leaders with in-depth knowledge and experience. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview with both closed and open-ended questions allowing for a balanced analysis of both numerical trends and contextual insights. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was examined using thematic analysis. This combined approach enabled a comprehensive exploration of service delivery challenges in the study areas. The findings revealed significant disparities in municipal service provision between Mikomfwa and Fisenge. While formal settlements such as Mikomfwa receive relatively better services, including road maintenance, drainage systems, and emergency responses, informal settlements like Fisenge lack essential services such as waste management, consistent water supply, adequate drainage maintenance, and street lighting. The absence of structured service delivery mechanisms in Fisenge led to higher dissatisfaction among residents, as they face greater infrastructural and environmental challenges. The study further found that these disparities are exacerbated by systemic governance challenges, inequitable resource allocation, and a lack of community engagement in municipal decision-making processes. Residents in informal settlements reported limited consultation and participation in urban planning, which negatively impacts service provision and long-term infrastructure development. Based on the findings, the study recommends several policy interventions to improve service delivery in low-cost housing areas. These include formalizing informal settlements to facilitate structured service provision, ensuring equitable resource allocation, and strengthening community participation in urban governance. Furthermore, public-private partnerships should be leveraged to support government efforts in service provision, particularly in waste management and water supply. The study also highlights the importance of sustainable and inclusive governance models that prioritize marginalized communities.