Research
A Return to Master Planning: A Misconception of the Theory of Paradigm Shift?
Recent trends have shown that, cities of developing countries have been switching from one urban planning approach to another and this trend will continue. The methodology adopted involved a review of scondary data sources, interviews and analysis.The findings of this research present three areas of discourse. First, the demise and resurgence of conventional approaches is a worldwide recurring phenomena. Secondly, the switch/return to master planning approach in Dar es Salaam was premature and largely resulted from a misconception of the theory of paradigm shift. Thirdly, the claim that SUDP is ill-suited to guide the process of urban change, is more of a misleading generalization than a reality. The utility of SUDP has to be examined not only from practice but also from core theoretical and conceptual tenets, laws and procedures governing such an urban planning practice.
Analysis of Outputs of a Planning Process: Sinza Strategic Urban Development Planning (SUDP) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
For several reasons, current urban development in Dar es Salaam City has not adhered to requirements of both general and detailed planning schemes. This in turn has encouraged local authorities and other stakeholders to produce planning outputs using a Strategic Urban Development Planning (SUDP) process. The methodology involved appraising a ward environmental profile; holding a stakeholders’ consultative workshop and analysing the issues identified. Analysis has shown that, under the current urban development diversities in terms of interests and priorities, the befitting output of an urban planning process cannot be a mere future land use map. It is inclined to be a package of well-thought outputs forming an acceptable future land use plan. The ability to produce an acceptable future land use plan based on core tenets of SUDP is a strenghth of same. This defeats earlier claims of SUPD weaknesses related to future land use and urban development control.
