Transformation of urban planning practices using geo-spatial technology in managing rapid urbanisation in Harare: Zimbabwe

Abstract

Political independence for Zimbabwe in 1980 brought about fundamental socio-conomic changes which impacted on urbanisation trends in the country. For instance the removal of colonial influx control laws and regulations which had previously served to curtail ruralurban migration marked the beginning of a new developmental era characterised by rapid urbanisation. Political and economic downturns later experienced in the country in the last decade of the twentieth century and after resulted in massive de-industrialisation, company closures and high unemployment. These changes impacted significantly on the spatial structure of cities which had to firstly adapt to socio-political integration, and had to later focus on the basic challenges of providing shelter and alternative means of employment in a depressed economy. The physical and spatial manifestations of such changes included the rapid growth of informality, the collapse of urban infrastructure and the apparent disregard for the colonially styled urban development management frameworks. This research consequently evaluates the performance of current urban planning frameworks and practices in the face of such changing circumstances. This is against a backdrop of the apparent failure by urban planning to transform in line such development trends. The study explores the theoretical framework of rapid urbanisation, urban planning, and technological innovation in urban development management systems. The main focus of the study is on the transformation of planning practices and frameworks. Geo-spatial technology (GST) is mainly used as a demonstration and methodological tool for analysis and evaluation. The methodology is made up of two contrasting case studies based in the CBD of Harare (Zimbabwe‟s capital city) and Epworth (an informal settlement on the outskirts of Harare). The CBD case study measures the performance of planning frameworks within a formally planned set up whilst the Epworth case study demonstrates the (in)effectiveness of current planning practices to contemporary urban development challenges. The main findings of the research support the need to have mobile planning frameworks and tools that have the capacity to promptly respond to fast changing developmental trends. The other main finding highlights the positive relationship between impartial participation in planning and high level of success in achieving planning objectives.