Mosha, Aloysius Clemence
(1975)
Regional planning in the Kilimanjara/Arusha region of Tanzania.
PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Abstract
The need for regional planning in Tanzania has long been realized because in this country, as in most developing countries, there are striking contrasts and disparities between regions, clearly reflected in the very unequal opportunities to participate in the social-economic development process enjoyed by the various population groups. The sheer size of the country would make it difficult to treat the country as a single unit, even if the undeveloped transportation system did not further divide the country.
These problems have thus prompted the undertaking of this thesis which tries one approach to Regional Physical Planning in Tanzania to see whether this level of planning can solve some of the problems and thus lead to better development in this country.
The Study starts off with an examination of the Regional Planning experience of some African countries including a thorough examination of Tanzania's experience before embarking on a case study of one of its regions.
The Northern Reglon has been taken for this detailed case study. It is a region with major contrasts in factor endowment and urban development. An analysis of the present situation shows that this region has tremendous resource potential, especially agriculture, industry (especially processing industry), tourism and abundance of labour. However, development has been limited because of some problems facing this region. These include rapid urbanization leading to differences between urban and rural areas, haphazard location of infrastructure resulting in duplication of services in some areas while others have none, land shortage and population congestion problems in the highland zones. The analysis paid special attention to tourism because of its present importance in the economy and development of this region.
The results of the Analysis of the existing situation formed the back-ground to the formulation of goals and objectives, a general outline of Alternative Strategies and their evaluation. This led to the choice of the preferred Strategy which was taken and developed as the future Strategic Plan of this region.
This Study has recommended a strategy to solve some of the region's identified problems while exploiting existing potentials for growth. The resulting document should, initially, be discussed by local politicians and departmental specialists. Further detailed research and surveys and, feasibility studies would then be needed before implementation can be contemplated.
The Plan suggests that a Growth Centre Strategy should be used as a basis for future development by both Local Government and private agencies. This planned spatial distribution of centres would ensure a balanced relationship between the urban and rural sectors. Investment priorities would be in the centres currently lacking essential services and infrastructure. Such a Strategy will maintain a reasonable spread of urban services throughout the region thus ensuring that opportunities for educational and cultural improvement, together with medical and commercial facilities are reasonably accessible to all the rural population.
Certain concrete proposals have been made for immediate implementation such as the upgrading and provision of additional infrastructural development in. the selected service centres. Special projects for agriculture and industry have also been suggested. These proposals have been integrated into a long range development PLAN for the Northern Region which recommends a pattern of growth which will accommodate all anticipated development up to the turn of the century.
The successful implementation of this Plan will depend on the suggested establishment of a Regional Planning Unit which would constantly review the plan in the light of future new developments. Thus, it remains as a flexible strategic regional plan, unlike previous unco-ordinated sectoral and inflexible Master Plans for limited areas. If this planning approach is successful, it may, in future, be used as a general blue print for regional planning in Tanzania.
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