Changes in Agricultural Land Use in the Peri-Urban Zone of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Mwamfupe, Davis G (1994) Changes in Agricultural Land Use in the Peri-Urban Zone of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Full text available as:
[thumbnail of 13818880.pdf] PDF
Download (19MB)

Abstract

Recent studies on urbanisation in Africa acknowledge the growing need and importance of urban informal sector, particularly urban and peri-urban agriculture as part of a survival strategy for urban residents. However, there has not been a corresponding thrust to examine the impact of these changes on land use, particularly, in the peri-urban zones. Thus, the main aim of this study is to examine and analyse the nature and changes in agricultural land use in the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam since the early 1960s. A review of the literature relating to peri-urban zones shows that the bulk of the work on this theme is based on the experience in advanced capitalist economies of North America and Western Europe. Thus, this study questions the relevance of the conclusions developed in advanced capitalist economies to the African situation. Developments taking place in the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam are viewed in the context of changes in the political economy of Tanzania since Independence in 1961. It is argued that as a colonial city, Dar es Salaam developed stronger links with distant up- country sources of raw materials at the expense of its immediate peri-urban zone which until the mid 1970s was still a neglected area. However, beginning in the mid-1980s the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam began to show signs of being directly responsive to the urban demands for land and food. For example, a review of the decision-making factors shows that farmers' choice of crops is influenced by the proximity of the periurban zone to the city, as well as the need to ensure household food security for the farmers. Thus, agricultural land use in the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam shows a pattern in which extensive forms of farming such as cashewnut and sisal farming are giving way to more intensive land use such as residential and other forms of farming, particularly food crop cultivation. Therefore, as elsewhere in Africa and in advanced capitalist economies, the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam is now characterised by a mix of intruding urban land use and retreating rural land use. The study further notes that due to the spatial variability of urban demands and differences in farmers' responses spatial variations in land use are noted within the peri-urban zone. In conclusion it is noted that in response to urban pressure, the peri-urban zone of Dar es Salaam has been undergoing processes of change in land use. However, given the different socio-economic environment in which these changes are taking place there are marked differences (in magnitude) from what is experience in advanced capitalist economies.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Additional Information: Adviser: John Briggs
Keywords: Land use planning, Area planning & development, Agriculture, Sub Saharan Africa studies
Date of Award: 1994
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1994-76084
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 16:51
Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 16:51
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76084

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year