Urban Governance in the Changing Economic and Political Landscapes: A Comparative Analysis of Major Urban Centres of Tanzania

John Modestus  Lupala

doi:10.4236/cus.2015.32013

John Modestus Lupala

Abstract: Urban development in many cities of the developing world has been facing innumerable challenges some of which are historical but others attributed to governance. While the changing socioeconomic and political landscapes have been shaping the pattern of urban governance in these cities, studies underscoring the link between central, local governments and the citizenry are scanty. This paper attempts to analyze urban governance in the Tanzanian context drawing empirical evidence and lessons from eight major urban centres of Tanzania. This paper is a product of the study that was carried out to examine the state of cities in eight (8) major urban centres of Tanzania between 2010 and 2013. It attempts to compare governance issues and develop some indices across major urban centres of Tanzania. The data collection methods included household interviews, review of official records, workshops, group discussion and reports from city coordinators. The results show that: although Tanzania has made some strides towards effective urban governance, the level of achievement varied from one city to another. Poor performance was noted on parameters of continued centralization of power by the central government, continued financial dependency on central government, limited participation and civic engagement of local communities in development projects and political undertakings. As a way forward it has been recommended that there is an urgent need to re-orient the on-going local government reform programmes to ensure that true decentralised functions, powers and mandates are exercised from below. This should be accompanied with capacity building to ensure effective participation of key stakeholders.

Keywords: Urban Governance, Economic and Political Landscapes, Urban Centres, Tanzania

Cite this paper: Lupala, J. (2015) Urban Governance in the Changing Economic and Political Landscapes: A Comparative Analysis of Major Urban Centres of Tanzania. Current Urban Studies, 3, 147-160. doi: 10.4236/cus.2015.32013.

References

[1] Banachowicz, B., & Danielewicz, J. (2004). Urban Governance—The New Concept of Urban Management: The case of Lodz, Poland, Paper presented in Conference: “Winds of Societal Change: Remaking Post-Communist Cities”. University of Illinois, 18-19 June 2004, 10-12; In Jusoh, H., & Abdul Rashid, A. (2008). Efficiency in Urban Governance towards Sustainability and Competitiveness of City: A Case Study of Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Social, Education, Economics and Management Engineering, 2, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology.

[2] Cheema, G. S. (1997). Reconceptualising Governance. Discussion Paper, Management Development and Governance Division, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UND, New York.

[3] Lange, F. E. (2009). Urban Governance: An Essential Determinant of City Development: World Vision Institute for Research and Development Friedrichsdorf. Germany.

[4] Lupala, J. M. (2014). The Social Dimension of Sustainable Development: Social Inclusion in Tanzania’s Urban Centres. Current Urban Studies, 2, 350-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/cus.2014.24033.

[5] McCarney, P. L. (1996). The Changing Nature of Local Government in Developing Country. University of Toronto, Toronto Press, 45-47.

[6] Ngware, S., Kironde, J., Manda, P., & Malya, U. (2003). Local Government in Tanzania; A Country Profile, Association of Local Authorities. Unpublished Report of the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam.

[7] Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Governments (PMO-RALG) (2009). Local Government Reform Programme II, (Decentralisation by Devolution), Vision, Goals, and Strategy, PMO-RALG, Dodoma.

[8] Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Governments (PMO-RALG) (1998). The Local Government Reform Policy Paper, PMO-RALG, Dodoma, Tanzania.

[9] South African Cities Network (2006). The State of the Cities Report. SACN, South Africa.

[10] Taylor, P. (2000). Institutional Profile: UNCHS (Habitat)—The Global Campaign for Good Urban Governance. Environment and Urbanization, 12, 197-202.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095624780001200114

[11] UN-Habitat (2010) The State of African Cities 2010. UN-Habitat, Nairobi.

[12] URT (1996). The National Land Policy, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dar es Salaam.

[13] URT (1999). The Land Act Number 4 and 5, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dar es Salaam.

[14] URT (2000). The National Human Settlements Development Policy, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dar es Salaam.

[15] URT (2007). The Urban Planning Act Number 8, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dar es Salaam.