TITLE:
The Role of Private Planning Firms in Provision of Public Spaces in Planned Residential Neighbourhoods: The Case of Dar es Salaam City and Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
AUTHORS:
Marco Burra, Wilfred G. Kazaura, Mswani Laurent
KEYWORDS:
Communities, Planning Schemes, Public Open Spaces, Private Planning Firms, Planned Residential Neighbourhoods, Planning Authorities, Space Standards
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.7 No.3,
September
24,
2019
ABSTRACT: This paper aimed at examining the spatial allocation
of public spaces and their standards in newly planned neighbourhoods as
implemented by the private planning firms, and their effect to local
communities or users. The paper specifically examines and analyses the spatial
distribution of public and open spaces and explores the planning standards used
by private planning firms in implementing the various planning schemes in Dar
es Salaam City and Morogoro municipality. Methodologically, a systematic account
was made of the research process, methods and data collection tools linked and
detailed studies were made in the selected cases. Comparisons were made with
the National space standards provided in the Urban Planning Act; and the level
of adherence to planning standards in provision of public spaces was analysed.
It was found that public spaces were provided and majority of the firms have
adhered to planning standards. Serious omissions were observed; however, with regard to the provision for play fields which were
provided in primary and secondary schools, no provision for free public play
fields and sport grounds was made in the cases
investigated. The paper concludes that despite the involvement of the private
planning firms by the government in providing serviced land to the people,
there is still a challenge of observing requirements for public spaces, albeit
in varying categories and sizes according to the indicative planning standards. Thus, provision of public spaces as
public or social goods is generally
compromised. The paper recommends that more open spaces, parks and play fields
should be provided in the detailed planning schemes, using participatory
approaches among Councils, communities, institutions and individuals who shall
be given mandates to manage them. Enforcement of the planning standards during
approval and implementation of the newly planned residential neighbourhoods by
the organs such as Municipalities, City and Urban planning authorities is necessary to ensure success. Private planning firms should be given
mechanisms to adhere to the provision of public spaces and the required
standards to enable the public at large to utilize these spaces as public goods
for the betterment of communities.