WHAT THE DESIGN CONCEPTS AND SPACE STANDARDS SAY VERSUS ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION ON THE GROUND

Abstract

This paper examines how the zoning concepts and urban planning space standards adopted from colonial administration are implemented on the actual ground. Most cities in developing counties apply planning standards and concepts which are inherited from Europe or North America, Tanzania inclusive. Planning and design concepts that segregate residential, commercial and industrial activities and impose low densities that require large areas of urban land, and impose high transport and environmental costs and inhibit opportunities for local economic initiatives which can help lift communities out of poverty. Development control policies are also frequently based on imported or inherited norms, rather than traditional practices and local climatic conditions. Despite the existence of the inherited planning concepts and standards, however, little is known whether such concepts and standards are implemented on the actual ground and achieved.