Understanding the Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects of Port Development on Urban and Marine Environments: A Case of Mombasa Port Expansion (2006–2021) on Urban and Marine Environments in Kenya

As Africa experiences unprecedented growth rates in seaborne trade, the pressure on existing port infrastructure intensifies, necessitating the expansion and development of key maritime facilities. The Mombasa Port in Kenya, a critical hub for maritime trade on the continent, exemplifies this phenomenon through its ongoing expansion activities. This study examines the port expansion’s social, economic, and environmental effects on the city of Mombasa, its residents, and their marine environments, offering a comprehensive analysis of the port-city-sea nexus within the African context. Employing a mixed-method research design, this study integrates qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques by combining 520 household surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with residents and local organizations, and Key Informant Interviews (KII). Quantitative analysis utilized descriptive statistics-frequency distributions, cross-tabulations, ANOVA, Pearson’s chi-squared tests and regression analysis. Concurrently, qualitative data were thematically coded ensuring a robust triangulation of findings. The analysis focused on the perceived and observable changes attributed to the port expansion, residents’ satisfaction with their Quality of Life (QoL), and environmental conditions, as well as examining economic and livelihood status. Findings indicated that 93% of the respondents acknowledged that they observed substantial changes in their vicinity due to port development, with quality-of-life satisfaction levels varying according to their proximity to recent expansion activities. Notably, those residing closest to the port expansion sites reported higher levels of dissatisfaction due to livelihood disruption, displacement, and environmental destruction. This research fills the existing literary gap around the intricate relationship between port development and urban, terrestrial, and marine environments in Africa. Moreover, it lays a foundation for further studies and provides baseline data that may inform sustainable urban, land, and sea planning in African port cities.