Abstract: This study examined the effect of project cost management practices on the performance of construction projects in Kigali City, Rwanda, using Nyarutarama Property Developers (NPD) Ltd as a case. Rwandan construction projects frequently close over budget, behind schedule, or below the specified quality standard, and the study established how far cost benefits management, cost management strategies, and cost control practices explain variation in project performance. A mixed-method correlational design was used. From 335 project staff, a proportionate stratified sample of 182 was drawn using the Slovin formula. Data from a semi-structured questionnaire, key-informant interviews, and documentary review were analysed in SPSS version 25.0 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. All questionnaires were returned (100 per cent response rate) and Cronbach’s alpha exceeded 0.7. Every construct recorded a very high mean: cost benefits management 4.59, cost management strategies 4.51, cost control practices 4.41, and project performance 4.63. Each predictor correlated significantly with performance (r = 0.901, 0.790, and 0.860 respectively, p < 0.01). The regression model was significant (F = 267.307, p < 0.001) and explained 81.8 per cent of the variance in performance (R² = 0.818). Only cost benefits management was a positive significant predictor (β = 1.489, p < 0.001); cost management strategies was not significant, and the negative coefficient on cost control practices reflects multicollinearity rather than a real adverse effect. The study concludes that benefits realisation is the decisive lever and recommends that firms institutionalise cost-benefit realisation frameworks and strengthen estimation capability.

Abstract: This study examined the effect of Speed Enforcement Cameras Deployment on Road Accident Trends in Kigali City, Rwanda. Specifically, the study sought to determine the effect of speed enforcement cameras deployment on road accident trends in Kigali City. The study adopted a descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach. A total of 300 participants were targeted, comprising 298 drivers and motorcyclists who responded to structured questionnaires and 2 administrative personnel who participated in semi-structured interviews. Of the 298 questionnaires administered, 286 were successfully completed and returned, representing a response rate of 96.0%, while both key informants participated in the interviews. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, while secondary data were obtained through documentary review. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis using SPSS Version 25. The findings revealed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between Speed Enforcement Cameras Deployment and Road Accident Trends (r = 0.759, p < 0.001). Regression results showed that Speed Enforcement Cameras Deployment significantly predicted Road Accident Trends (β = 0.759, p < 0.001), with an R² of 0.577, indicating that 57.7% of the variation in Road Accident Trends was explained by speed enforcement cameras deployment. The study concludes that effective deployment of speed enforcement cameras is significantly associated with improved road safety outcomes in Kigali City. The study recommends strategic deployment, regular maintenance, calibration, monitoring, and continuous evaluation of speed enforcement cameras, particularly in high-risk locations, to enhance compliance with speed limits and improve road safety.

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of Rwanda’s National Urbanization Strategies on sustainable urban development in Kigali, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the Coordination Strategy and the Kigali Master Plan. Grounded in governance and systems theory, the research employed a descriptive design and integrated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 312 respondents including urban planners, government officials, and policy experts—were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using SPSS Version 21 through descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. Findings revealed a strong positive correlation between the coordination strategy (r = 0.742) and sustainable urban development outcomes, underscoring the pivotal role of effective governance and institutional coordination in promoting urban sustainability. Regression analysis further confirmed institutional coordination as a significant predictor of sustainable urban development (β = 0.534, p = 0.000). The study underscores the importance of reinforcing coordination mechanisms across urban planning institutions to ensure coherent policy implementation. Based on these findings, the study recommends that urban planners, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders enhance collaboration and communication by institutionalizing regular coordination meetings, joint planning sessions, and the alignment of strategic objectives. These measures will strengthen decision-making processes and contribute to the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.

Abstract: Street vending activity is considered as an important source of informal employment resulting from lack of limited lucrative employment, hence leading many people to move from their villages to cities searching for employment where they expect to get better pay. In Rwanda, the street vending activity is considered as illegal under the motive of keeping clean Kigali City and the secondary cities. To attend to living conditions of people involved in the street vending activities, Government of Rwanda has initiated a project of locating them in formal markets. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of this initiative of locating street traders in formal markets on their living conditions. It employed a descriptive study design on a sample of 372 street traders drawn from around 4,647 street vendors relocated in formal market in Kigali City. With the F-statistic of 27.617 and p-value of 0.000, findings confirm that locating street vendors at a well-known market and safer place has a significant effect on the improvement of their living conditions at all levels of significance. However, the amount of Frw 50,000 given to street vendors as starting up assistance is perceived as small to sustain their business. Similarly, the backward movement of some to street vending activity is to be strictly discouraged because not only hamper the initiative but also can reduce the potential multiplicative effect of the amount that government gives as support to located street vendors.