Integrating Community Participation in Urban Redevelopment Projects: The Case of Makongo in Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examined the community initiated redevelopment in Makongo juu , Tanzania. it is a bottom up planning, researchers were interested  on assessing the redevelopment process, examining the achievements, opportunities and challenges.Based on predictions, almost 60% of the world population will be living in cities by 2030.Tanzania is urbanizing at a rapid rate 4.7% in which 26% of the total population lives in urban area. Planning and implementation of urban redevelopment projects based on public funds has been facing challenges. Thus bottom up approach and community involvement in improving housing and living condition has been a best alternative.Currently the concept and adoption of bottom up planning is one of the most commonly adopted in recent time. In early 1990s, Makongo juu residents in Dar es salaam Tanzania realized that many projects in the settlement could not be implemented through normal government funds, they formed an initiatives to solve their problems. Currently Makongo Juu area in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is set for major facelift including redevelopment of infrastructures such as roads and improved Housing. About 17,000 residents of the area are affected by the exercise with area covering about 1500Acres. This is a community initiated project by Makongo juu residents. Through explorative research using case study strategy; official, key informant’s interview and in-depth household interview were conducted. This paper examined the application of the concept in the urban redevelopment process in Makongo juu .Achievements are given; problems faced examined and possible solutions are put forward. Challenges and opportunities for replication in similar environments are discussed. A total of 106 people we interviewed in Makongo juu in which 47% were females, and 53% were males. Findings revealed that willingness of residents to release part of their plots for improving public infrastructure has been a challenge.

Keywords: bottom up planning, redevelopment, Housing.