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13 - An Overview of Urban Planning in Tanzania

From Colonial to Post-colonial Urban Planning Practices

from Part II - Case Studies on Urban Planning in African Countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2023

By
Nestory E. Yamungu ,
Manfred Spocter  and
Ronnie Donaldson
Edited by
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah  and
Eric Gaisie
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
Eric Gaisie
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
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Summary

Ideological rationalities and urban planning practices are inextricably linked, and urban planning practices draw insight from theoretical propositions. Through a review of relevant literature and documents, the chapter traces ideological changes and their influences on urban planning practices in colonial to post-colonial Tanzania. Colonial urban planning was based on modernist ideological rationalities drawing from layout planning, land use zoning and master planning. Post-colonial planning practices underwent changes in ideological rationalities from master planning to strategic planning. Master planning as modernist planning has always been an expert-led process based on means–ends and dualistic ideas. Strategic planning as post-modernist planning has been based on relations and pluralistic ideas. Non-implementation of master plans and strategic plans have rendered layout plans as the main spatial planning and decision-making tool. Contemporary planning realities are influenced by a multitude of challenges resulting in the emergence of piecemeal planning leading to uncoordinated urban forms, particularly in small towns.

Keywords

ideological rationalitiespiecemeal planning practicesTanzaniaurban planning
Type
Chapter
Information
Reimagining Urban Planning in Africa , pp. 216 - 236
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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