Peri-urban refers to the urban –rural interface, it’s the space where a city meets the country side normally located at the edges of the city boundaries. Whereas peri-urban is at times considered remote of poor and low class, to the visionary and foresighted, this presents an opportunity to invest in and tap into the growing city/urban opportunities.
In a peri-urban setting, rural development interacts with urban influencers changing the social-economic well- being of the communities around here. There is significant population increases because as towns/cities grow these peri-urban areas start to be perceived to be attractive and untapped destinations for development.
For example, ask a person who bought land in Biharwe, Kyera, Rwentondo, Kaburangire, Rwobuyenje and Kyarwabuganda 15 years ago when Mbarara was still a developing municipality. This person will be living testimony how profitable it is to invest in peri-urban land. These are some of the places that were predominantly large green open spaces covered with woodlands and farm land with scattered populations and considered remote for the poor and low class.
But as the town grew, these areas attracted increased attention due to competition for urban land usage. These areas are now developed and similarly the value and cost of land has greatly increased. They have better infrastructural development and a host of emerging businesses. The interesting part is that the strategically positioned people could be investors or home owners would rush to buy land there reap immensely as urban areas tend to expand to this peri-urban land.
A look at Mbarara city, peri-urban lands is becoming a hotcake with shrinking agricultural land due to sale of land for residential/apartments, commercial houses and hotel facilities. Already as the population increases in the city centre, the cost of living increases and thus commuting from these areas on boda bodas to the central business town is already visible in Mbarara city. What does this mean, investing in peri-urban housing and rentals remains a virgin opportunity you can tap in.
In a peri-urban area there is still a lack of businesses for providing basic needs to residents such as shops,hotels,bars so strategically investing in these, provides an opportunity to reap profits as the city expands.
The cost of living in the city center may also be high unlike outside town. In the town center the pressure to be somebody is everywhere but when you move away not only do your costs become low but also you remove yourself from the high pressure mentality and give yourself to enjoy things within your means.
Even if you are not in position to buy land outside the town center at the moment, it’s easier to save for it by spending less on rent when you stay away outside town. It can also help you to save for other assets.
Peri-urban farming also provides another investment opportunity for investment. Besides the increasing population moving in peri -urban areas, the population in the central city business also needs food so peri-urban farming can increasingly become a source of food and a better opportunity for investment.
As the peri-urban areas begin to develop and attract population growth, you can also plan to invest here in hotel and accommodation, recreation facilities, leisure and entertainment. Look at the good hotels and accommodation emerging along Mbarara by-pass, in Kakiika, Mbarara city north division.
Amity realtors have a host of these peri-urban lands in Kakiika, Biharwe and Kamukuzi among others.
This week we are focusing on the Koranorya . A food basket for the whole of Western Uganda, a place that is growing at the fastest rate in the whole of western Uganda, and we hope that acquiring yourself a piece of land here at only 6M is not a bad idea.