Seeking urban transformation: alternative urban futures in Zimbabwe

Seeking Urban Transformation. Alternative Urban Futures in Zimbabwe tells the stories of ordinary people's struggles to remake urban centres. It interrogates and highlights the principle conditions in which urban transformation takes place. The main catalysts of the transformation are social movements and planning institutions. Social movements pool resources and skills, acquire land, install infrastructure and build houses. Planning institutions change policies, regulations and traditions to embrace and support a new form of urban development driven by grassroots movements. Besides providing a comprehensive analysis of planning and housing in Zimbabwe, there is a specific focus on three urban centres of Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth. In metropolitan Harare, the books examines new housing and infrastructure series to the predominantly urban poor population; vital roles played by the urban poor in urban development and the adoption by planning institutions of grassroots-centered, urban-planning approaches. The book draws from three case studies and in-depth interviews from diverse urban shapers i.e. representatives and members of social movements, urban planners, engineers, surveyors, policy makers, politicians, civil society workers and students to generate a varied selection of insights and experiences. Based on the Zimbabwean experience, the book illustrates how actions and power of ordinary people contributes to the transformation of African cities.

Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- About the Author -- List of Tables, Boxes and Figures -- Acronyms -- Chronology (1890-2018) -- Preface -- 1. Introduction: Transformation Drivers -- Transformation drivers -- Key arguments -- Structure of the book -- 2. Theoretical and Conceptual Perspectives -- Urban transformation defined -- Social movements -- Resource mobilization theory -- Political opportunity structures -- Radical planning -- The case for radical planning -- Transformative theory: A conceptual framework -- Social movements as agents of social transformation -- Radical planning as means for social transformation -- Conclusion -- 3. Planning and Housing: A History -- Colonial planning and housing (1890-1979) -- Post-independence planning and housing (1980-2018) -- Housing policy developments -- Repeal of pass laws (1980) and rent control regulations (1982) -- Home-ownership policy -- Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order -- National Housing Policy 2012 -- Housing delivery projects -- Housing and Guarantee Fund -- Housing Upgrading Programme -- Urban I and II -- Zimbabwe Private Sector Housing Programme -- LARP and Homelink Housing Development Scheme -- National Housing Delivery Programme (2004-08) -- Housing projects (2009-13) -- Conclusion -- 4. Metropolitan Harare: Past, Present and Future -- Harare City -- Siting and early development (1890-1946) -- Colonial planning and housing crisis (1946-1980) -- Chitungwiza Town -- Post-independence urban expansion and housing (1980-2015) -- Epworth -- Squatter settlement upgrading programme (1980-2005) -- Rapid expansion and in situ upgrading (2005-2015) -- Conclusion -- 5. Urban Economies, Politics and Governance (1980-2018) -- Urban governance reforms and stable urban economies (1980-2000) -- Contestation and informalized urban economies (2000-18).

Seeking Urban Transformation. Alternative Urban Futures in Zimbabwe tells the stories of ordinary people's struggles to remake urban centres. It interrogates and highlights the principle conditions in which urban transformation takes place. The main catalysts of the transformation are social movements and planning institutions. Social movements pool resources and skills, acquire land, install infrastructure and build houses. Planning institutions change policies, regulations and traditions to embrace and support a new form of urban development driven by grassroots movements. Besides providing a comprehensive analysis of planning and housing in Zimbabwe, there is a specific focus on three urban centres of Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth. In metropolitan Harare, the books examines new housing and infrastructure series to the predominantly urban poor population; vital roles played by the urban poor in urban development and the adoption by planning institutions of grassroots-centered, urban-planning approaches. The book draws from three case studies and in-depth interviews from diverse urban shapers i.e. representatives and members of social movements, urban planners, engineers, surveyors, policy makers, politicians, civil society workers and students to generate a varied selection of insights and experiences. Based on the Zimbabwean experience, the book illustrates how actions and power of ordinary people contributes to the transformation of African cities