Managing Informal Settlements A Study Using Geo-Information in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Ričardas Vytautas Šliužas ITC Dissertation No. 112 Cover design: A. Menning and R. Šliužas. Background image SPOT CS image © SPOT Image. The research presented in this thesis was performed at the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) P.O. Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede, The Netherlands http://www.itc.nl CIP-Data Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Den Haag Copyright © 2004 Ričardas Vytautas Šliužas ISBN 90-6164-223-X All rights reserved. No part of this publication, apart from bibliographic data or brief quotations from critical reviews, may be reproduced in any form, by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means, without written permission. Managing Informal Settlements: a study using geo-information in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Thesis Utrecht University and ITC with summaries in Dutch and Swahili Subject Headings: informal settlements / strategic urban planning / settlement planning / Tanzania / Geographic Information Technology Managing Informal Settlements A Study Using Geo-Information in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Plannen en beheer van informele woongebieden: een studie met gebruik van geoinformatie in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (met een samenvatting in het Nederlands) (pamoja na muhtasari kwa Kiswahili) Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad doctor aan de Universiteit Utrecht op gezag van de Rector Magnificus Prof. Dr. W.H. Gispen ingevolge het besluit van het College voor Promoties in het openbaar te verdedigen op donderdag 10 juni 2004 des ochtends te 10.30 uur door Ričardas Vytautas Šliužas geboren op 26 november 1956, te Adelaide, Australië Promotor Prof. Dr. H.F.L. Ottens Utrecht University Faculty of Geosciences Urban and Regional Research Centre Utrecht Co-promotor Prof. Dr. V. Kreibich University of Dortmund Faculty of Spatial Planning Acknowledgements Inevitably numerous persons and organizations have contributed to this research since it began in 1998. Each contribution has in some way enriched the process and facilitated my ability to bring the research to a successful conclusion. I gratefully acknowledge the support of all those who have assisted me in this endeavour but I will also make specific mention of those persons whose contributions have been especially significant to my work. I am particularly grateful for the guidance and encouragement provided by my supervisors, Prof. Dr. Henk Ottens and Prof. Dr. Volker Kreibich. Their expertise in the fields of GIS, urban geography, urban planning, and Prof. Kreibich’s specific knowledge and expertise on urban issues in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Tanzania in particular, has enriched my work from the outset and enabled me to develop and apply GIT methods that are geared to the realities of urban management in many Sub-Saharan African cities. They have stimulated my thinking and academic development in innumerable ways, establishing the foundation for future research work on GIT applications in this region. My link with Dar es Salaam was established in 1987, when I conducted a course at what is now known as the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS). This was the first of many trips that enabled me to learn about the urbanization process in Dar es Salaam and the challenges of managing fast growing cities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since then I have been fortunate to develop personal and professional ties with many Tanzanian professionals, some of whom have been instrumental in this research. I owe much to my Tanzanian friends and colleagues from UCLAS. Special mention must be made of Dr. A.G. Kyessi, Dr. S. Sheuya, Dr. E. G. Mtalo, Prof. W.J. Kombe, Dr. T.J. Nnkya, Dr. A. Lupalla, and my assistants in Keko Mwanga, Anthony Kibadu and Merina Gamuya. Their contributions and encouragement have been invaluable. Mr. Z.Y. Masele, Mr. J. Mayunga and other staff of the Survey and Mapping Division facilitated the supply of spatial data, aerial photographs and permission to conduct the flights that led to the production of the Small Format Aerial Photo (SFAP) mosaics. Much credit is due to the staff of the municipalities and the residents of the case study settlements: Hanna Nassif, Keko Mwanga and Tabata. Were it not for their willingness to attend meetings and facilitate in data collection much of my work would have been impossible. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with various groups of researchers was outstanding and a practical demonstration of the benefits of participatory planning processes. The fianancial support of the ITC and the numerous contributions from my colleagues are all highly appreciated. In the period 1998-1999 it was a particular pleasure to work with Dr. Ben Gorte (now at the Technical University of Delft), i Ir. Mark Brussel (ITC) and Rob Dekker (TNO-FEL) and Dr. E.G. Mtalo (UCLAS) with additional funding provided by BCRS for research on Urbanization in Dar es Salaam. The data derived from this project was an indispensable component of this research. Tom Loran support as leader of the EISCAP project provided additional resources when required for data collection. Further, technical support was received from Gerard Reinink, Benno Masselink, Job Duim, Andries Menning and Loes Colenbrander as and when required. My sincere thanks are also extended to Marga Koelen, Carla Gerritsen and Petry Maas-Prijs for their friendly and efficient services at the library. A special mention is made of the cooperation with Drs. Sherif Amer. In addition to sharing spatial data and supporting each other in the writing process I value highly the time spent in discussing our individual but inter-related research projects. From the evening talks on the balcony of the Motel Afrique in Dar es Salaam through to the most recent exchanges on population modelling a strong personal and professional bond has been formed. Many others at ITC have contributed to different aspects of data collection and analysis over the research period. Numerous assistants and ITC students have added to my work in some way including: Hedwig Thorborg, Monika Kuffer, Marian Visser, Timothy Hakuyu, Steve Ramroop, Siti Atikah and Joseph Binala. Special mention is accorded to students of the Professional Master course in Urban Planning and Land Administration (UPLA) who I had the pleasure to supervise during fieldwork in Keko Mwanga in 2001: Simon Yanuar Putra, Kerry Chambers, Liu Guangzhen, Wenli Feng, Jimmy Ringo, Michael Mwalukasa, Experancia Tibasana, Casty Njoroge, Kirk Freckleton, Itai Dhliwayo, Sukanya Prommanart and Farid Ahmed. On three occasions I recieved timely support from unexpected quarters. First, in December 1999 my colleague Ton Mank kindly leant me his Nikon 35 mm camera, replacing my damaged Minolta and enabling me to complete the SFAP missions of Keko Mwanga and Hanna Nassif just one day before I was due to leave Dar es Salaam. Second, in May 2002, Dr. Brent Hall of University of Waterloo, Canada offered to read the text that I had produced by that time. His critical reading and extensive comments came at a crucial time and helped me to refocus and regain the momentum necessary to complete this research. Finally, Alphonce Tiba, kindly translated the summary into Kiswahili. Thanks are also due to the members of the committee: Prof. Dr. O.Verkoren, Prof. Dr. D. Webster, Prof Dr. Ian Masser, Dr. S. Geertman, Dr. P van Lindert and Dr. L. Boerboom for reading what was a rather rough manuscript. Finally, my love and thanks to Anita, Rosanne and Tymen who, more than others, have borne the burden of my preoccupation with this research. If I have one regret it is the lost opportunities for sharing with them that can never be replaced. ii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................i Table of Contents ................................................................................................ iii List of Figures .................................................................................................... vii List of Tables........................................................................................................ix List of Appendices................................................................................................xi List of Acronyms................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1 Introducing the research problem .........................................................1 1.1 The three main research themes ......................................................................1 1.1.1 The changing nature and role of urban planning and management..............2 1.1.2 Access to urban land and informal housing in Sub-Saharan Africa.............3 1.1.3 The adoption of information technology in urban planning and management .................................................................................................5 1.2 Research objectives and questions ..................................................................7 1.3 Scope of the research.......................................................................................7 1.4 Research design and outline of the thesis contents..........................................8 Chapter 2 Urban planning, planning support and informal urban development .13 2.1 The evolution of urban planning in theory and practice................................13 2.1.1 Evolution and diffusion of urban planning approaches..............................13