Influence Of Urban Expansion On Institutional Arrangements For Management Of Urban Open Spaces; A Case Study Of Dodoma Capital City District

ABSTRACT

Sustainability of open spaces in urban centres is threatened by overpopulation. A

study was conducted in 2014 within four wards of Dodoma Capital City District

(CCD), to investigate the influence of urban expansion on institutional arrangements

for management of urban open spaces. Specific objectives being to establish the

trends of urban expansion in relation to open space provision and accessibility; to

identify institutions, roles, mandates and to identify important strength, weakness,

opportunities and threats for managing open spaces in CCD. Socio-economic survey

involving panel discussions, questionnaires, focused group discussions and

interviews were conducted. The latter were complemented by participatory resource

assessment including GIS. Qualitative data were analysed into simple descriptive

statistics. It was revealed that CCD expanded to 12 km radius in 2013. The

population increased from 9,000 people in 1943 to 410,956 in 2013. Important

institutions include CDA and DMC. Transformation of urban open spaces is 16,800

ha out of 23,817 ha (70.5%) demarcated in Capital City Master Plan. Most of open

spaces are being converted into a wide range of business investments. CDA recorded

a total of 64 businesses in open spaces in 2013. Potential strengths for enhanced

management of open spaces include existing policies and legal frameworks being

implemented by both CDA and DMC. Noted weaknesses include budget constraints,

high extent of open space degradation, inadequate community participation, and

contradicting institutional arrangements. Main mitigation measures include

availability of funds, law enforcement, and enhanced community participation. It is

concluded that institutional arrangements, registration and use of GIS for monitoring

urban land use and in particular open spaces is imperative. It is recommended that

effectiveness in management can be realized through capacity building.