Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Social Change: Urban Governance and Urbanization in Zimbabwe

  • Published:
Urban Forum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Urbanization is an essential determinant of social change. For social change to take place, the process of urbanization requires extensive management (through urban governance). This paper outlines the context of Zimbabwe’s urban governance system by focusing on the historical and recent trends in urban governance and urbanization. In particular, our emphasis is placed on how pre- and post-colonial governments advanced social change through urban governance. In both pre- and post-independence Zimbabwe, local government is a political reality that ruling regimes manipulates, associates with and advance political interests. Politics continue to shape and destabilize a functioning, independent, and autonomous form of urban governance in Zimbabwe. Urban governance remains under incessant threat from central government. Central-local government contestations are leading to poor service delivery; a development that is affecting social change. The article argues that the politics, governance, and institutional behaviors in urban centers of Zimbabwe deteriorated severely calling for a restructuring of urban governance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. As enunciated in three government documents that is (a) ‘The Provincial Governors and Local Authorities in Zimbabwe: A Statement of Policy and directive by the Prime Minister’ released in 1984, (b) ‘The Provincial Councils and Administration Act, 1985’, (c) ‘Structure of Village Development Committees and Extension Services’ released in 1985.

  2. Mayors sacked and replaced by commissions: Harare (Mudzuri), Chitungwiza (Shoko), Chegutu (Dhlakama), and Mutare (Kagurabadza).

  3. Powers to remove, demolish or alter existing buildings or discontinue or modify uses or operations or require abatement of injury.

  4. Local government was however enshrined in the constitution through the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe.

References

  • Brand, C. M. (1991). Will decentralization enhance local participation? In H. J. Helmsing, D. R. Gasper, N. D. Mutizwa-Mangiza, C. M. Brand, & K. H. Wekwete (Eds.), Limits to decentralization in Zimbabwe: essays on the decentralization of government and planning in the 1980s (pp. 79–96). The Hague: Institute of Social Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakaipa, S. (2001). The Zimbabwean experience. Paper presented at African regional conference on the challenges of decentralization and local government. United Nations Capital Development Fund: Cape Town.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakaipa, S. (2010). Local government institutions and elections. In J. de Visser, N. Steytler, & N. Machingauta (Eds.), Local government reform in Zimbabwe: a policy dialogue (pp. 139–150). Community Law Centre: University of Western Cape.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatiza, K. (2010). Can local government steer socio-economic transformation in Zimbabwe? Analyzing historical trends and gazing into the future. In J. de. Visser., N. Steytler., & N. Machingauta (Eds.), Local government reform in Zimbabwe: A policy dialogue (pp1-25). University of Western Cape: Community Law Centre.

  • Chirisa, I. (2013). Increased squalor in urban and peri-urban Zimbabwe since 2009: assessing the rhetoric, practices and contradictions of the government of national unity. Southern Peace Review Journal, 2(1), 118–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chirisa, I., & Jonga, J. (2009). Urban local governance in the crucible: empirical overtones of central government meddling in local urban councils affairs in Zimbabwe. Theoretical and Empirical Research in Urban Management, 3(12), 166–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, B. (2006). Urbanization in developing countries: current trends, future projects, and key challenges for sustainability. Technology in Society, 28(2006), 63–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coltart, D. (2008). A decade of suffering in Zimbabwe: economic collapse and political repression under Robert Mugabe. Development Policy Analysis, 5(2008), 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conyers, D. (1989). The management and implementation of decentralized development administration. In commonwealth secretariat, decentralized administration in Africa: policies and training. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conyers, D. (2003). Decentralization in Zimbabwe: a local perspective. Public Administration and Development, 23(2003), 115–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, G., & Hartmann, C. (2008). (Eds.). Decentralization in Africa: A Pathway out of Poverty and Conflict? Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

  • Davey, K. (1993). Managing growing cities. Birmingham: University of Birmingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devas, N., & Delay, S. (2006). Local democracy and the challenges of decentralizing the state: an international perspective. Local Government Studies, 32(5), 677–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EISA. (2008). Election observer mission report Zimbabwe. Johannesburg: Electoral Institute of Southern Africa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenstadt, S. N. (1973). Tradition, change, and modernity. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esser, D. E. (2012). ‘When we launched the government’s agenda…’: aid agencies and local politics in urban Africa. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 50(3), 397–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faguet, J.-P. (2014). Decentralization and governance. World Development, 53(2014), 2–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gasper, D. (1991). Decentralization of planning and administration in Zimbabwe; international perspectives and 1980s experiences. In H. J. Helmsing, D. R. Gasper, N. D. Mutizwa-Mangiza, C. M. Brand, & K. H. Wekwete (Eds.), Limits to decentralization in Zimbabwe: essays on the decentralization of government and planning in the 1980s (pp. 7–50). The Hague: Institute of Social Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasper, D. (1997). Decentralization, coordination, integration: reflections from Zimbabwe in the 1980s. In A. H. J. Helmsing & J. Guimaraes (Eds.), Locality, state and development (pp. 51–72). The Hague: Institute of Social Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Zimbabwe. (1992). Census report. Harare: Central Statistical Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Zimbabwe. (2002). Census report. Harare: Central Statistical Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Zimbabwe. (2011). Medium term plan 2011–2015. Harare: Government of Zimbabwe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammar, H., McGregor, J., & Landau, L. (2010). Introduction. Displacing Zimbabwe: crisis and construction in southern Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 36(2), 263–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harpham, T., & Boateng, K. A. (1997). Urban governance in relation to the operation of urban services in developing countries. Habitat International, 21(1), 65–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrel-Bond, B. E., Howerd, A. M., & Skinner, D. E. (1978). Community leadership and the transformation of Freetown (1801–1976). Leiden: Mouton & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Healey, P. (2004). Creativity and urban governance. Policy Studies, 25(2), 87–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmsing, H. J., Gasper, D. R., Mutizwa-Mangiza, N. D., Brand, C. M. & Wekwete, K. H. (1991). (Eds.), Limits to decentralization in Zimbabwe: Essays on the Decentralization of Government and Planning in the 1980s. The Hague: Institute of Social Studies.

  • Helmsing, H. J., Stewart, F., & Klugman, J. (1994). Decentralization in Zimbabwe. Occasional paper 15. Harare: United Nations Development Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICG. (2009). Zimbabwe: engaging the inclusive government. African briefing No. 59.. Brussels: International Crisis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ismail, N., Bayat, S., & Meyer, I. (1997). Local government management. Johannesburg: International Thompson Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, P., Smith, H., & Wang, P. Y. (2007). Planning and housing in the rapidly urbanising world. London & New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, J. D. (1984). Local government in Zimbabwe: an overview. Mambo occasional papers, socio-economic series 17. Gweru: Mambo Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamete, A. Y. (2006a). The return of the jettisoned: ZANU-PF’s crack at ‘Re-Urbanizing’ in Harare. Journal of Southern African Studies, 32(2), 255–271.

  • Kamete, A. Y. (2006b). At the bottom of the social heap: a youth underclass in inner-city Harare? Journal of Youth Studies, 9(1), 67–89.

  • Kamete, A. Y. (2009). “For enhanced civil participation in local governance”: calling tyranny to account in Harare. Environment and Urbanization, 21(1), 59–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keating, M. (1995). Size, efficiency and democracy: consolidation, fragmentation and public choice. In G. Judge, G. Stoker, & H. Wolman (Eds.), Theories of urban problems (pp. 117–134). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laakso, L. (1999). Voting without choosing: state making and elections in Zimbabwe. Helsinki: Department of Political Science, University of Helsinki.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindell, I. (2008). The multiple sites of urban governance: insights from an African city. Urban Studies, 45(9), 1879–1901.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makumbe, J. M. (1998). Development and democracy in Zimbabwe. Harare: SAPES Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marumahoko, S. (2011). Fiscal autonomy of urban councils in Zimbabwe: a critical analysis. Law. Democracy & Development, 15, 37–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masundu-Nyamayaro, O. (2008). The case for modernization of local planning authority frameworks in southern and eastern Africa: a radical initiative for Zimbabwe. Habitat International, 32(2008), 15–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masunungure, E. V. & Shumba, J. M. (2012). (Eds.), Zimbabwe: Mired in Transition. Harare: Institute for a Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe and Weaver Press.

  • Matumbike, C. W. E., & Muchadenyika, D. (2012). Historical background of local government in Zimbabwe 1890–2010 perspectives and reflections. Harare: Institute for a Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe.

    Google Scholar 

  • MDC. (2013a). Election Manifesto 2013: a new Zimbabwe—the time is now. Harare: Movement for Democratic Change, Information and Publicity Department.

  • MDC. (2013b). Agenda for real transformation: 2013 policy handbook. Harare: Movement for Democratic Change.

  • Ministry of Local Government and Public Housing. (1999). Discussion paper on the vision of local government in Zimbabwe. Harare: Ministry of Local Government and Public Housing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2013). The crisis of local government reform in Zimbabwe. In I. Chirisa (Ed.), Contemporary rural and urban planning issues in Zimbabwe: implications for policy and planning (pp. 229–248). Palo Alto: Academica Pr Llc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2014a). Zimbabwe’s new constitution and local government: implications for centre-local relations. US-China Law Review Journal, 11(2014), 1365–1383.

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2014b). Contestation, confusion and change: urban governance and service delivery in Zimbabwe (2000–2012). unpublished MAdmin thesis. Cape Town: University of the Western Cape.

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2015a). Slum upgrading and inclusive municipal governance in Harare, Zimbabwe: new perspectives for the urban poor. Habitat International, 48(2015), 1–10.

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2015b). The inevitable: devolution in Zimbabwe’s—from constitution-making to the future. In J. de Visser, N. Steytler, D. Powel, & E. Durojaye (Eds.), Constitution-building in Africa (104-34). Baden-Baden: Nomos and Community Law Centre.

  • Muchadenyika, D. (2015c). Land for housing: a political resource—reflections from Zimbabwe’s urban areas. Journal of Southern African Studies, 41(6), 1219–1238.

  • Munzwa, K. M., & Wellington, J. (2010). Urban development in Zimbabwe: a human settlement perspective. Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 4(14), 120–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musekiwa, N. (2012). The role of local authorities in democratic transitions. In E. V. Masunungure & J. M. Shumba (Eds.), Zimbabwe: mired in transition. Harare: Institute for a Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe and Weaver Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musemwa, M. (2014). Water, history and politics in Zimbabwe: Bulawayo’s struggles with the environment, 1894-2008. Trenton: Africa World Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mushamba, S. (2010). The powers and functions of local authorities. In J. de Visser, N. Steytler, & N. Machingauta (Eds.), Local government reform in Zimbabwe: a policy dialogue (pp. 101–138). University of Western Cape: Community Law Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutizwa-Mangiza, D. N. (1991). Decentralization and local government administration. An analysis of structural and planning problems at the rural district level. In H. J. Helmsing, D. R. Gasper, N. D. Mutizwa-Mangiza, C. M. Brand, & K. H. Wekwete (Eds.), Limits to decentralization in Zimbabwe: essays on the decentralization of government and planning in the 1980s (pp. 51–78). The Hague: Institute of Social Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, G. (2003). Verandahs of power: colonialism and space in urban Africa. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, A. G. (2011). African cities: alternative visions of urban theory and practice. London & New York: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Njoh, A. J. (2007). Planning power: town planning and social control in colonial Africa. London & New York: University College London Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oesterdiekhoff, G. W. (2014). The role of developmental psychology to understanding history, culture and social change. Journal of Social Sciences, 10(4), 185–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olowu, D. (2009). Decentralization and local government in the Zimbabwean constitution. In N. Kersting (Ed.), Constitution in transition: academic inputs for a new constitution in Zimbabwe (pp. 101–126). Harare: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passmore, G. C. (1972). The national policy of community development in Rhodesia. Salisbury: University of Rhodesia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polanyi, K. (2001). The great transformation. New York: Farrar & Rinehart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potts, D. (2006a). ‘All my hopes and dreams are shattered’: urbanization and migrancy in an imploding economy—the case of Zimbabwe. Geoforum, 37(2006), 536–551.

  • Potts, D. (2006b). ‘Restoring order’? operation murambatsvina and the urban crisis in Zimbabwe. Journal of Southern African Studies, 32(2), 273–291.

  • Ranger, T. O. (2007). City versus state in Zimbabwe: colonial antecedents of the current crisis. Journal of Eastern African Studies, 1(2), 161–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • RBZ. (2004). The revitalization of local authorities. Harare: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, D. (2014). Urban governance and service delivery in African cities: the role of politics and policies. Development Policy Review, 32(S1), s3–s17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sachikonye, L. M. (1996). Restructuring or de-industrializing: Zimbabwe’s textile and metal industries under adjustment. Research report 110. Uppsala: Nordic Africa Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, H., Knops, A., Barnes, M., & Newman, J. (2004). Central-local relations in an era of multi-level governance: the case of public participation policy in England, 1997-2001. Local Government Studies, 30(2), 245–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundar, N. (2001). Is devolution democratisation? World Development, 29(12), 2007–2023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tardoff, W. (1994). Decentralization: comparative experiences in commonwealth Africa. Journal of Modern African Studies, 32(4), 555–580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tibaijuka, A. K. (2005). Report of the fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe to assess the scope and impact of operation murambatsvina by the UN special envoy on human settlements issues in Zimbabwe. New York: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilly, C. (1988). Misreading, then rereading, nineteenth-century social change. In B. Wellman & S. D. Berkowitz (Eds.), Social structures: a network approach (pp. 332–358). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilly, C. (2004). Social movements, 1768-2004. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (2008). Comprehensive economic recovery in Zimbabwe: a discussion document. Harare: UNDP.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Habitat. (2002). The global campaign on urban governance, a concept paper. Nairobi: UN-Habitat.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Habitat. (2009a). Global report on human settlements 2009: planning sustainable cities. Nairobi: UN-Habitat.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Habitat. (2009b). Planning sustainable cities: global report on human settlements 2009. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Habitat. (2010). State of African cities report 2010: governance, inequality and urban land markets. Nairobi: UN-Habitat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vago, S. (1999). Social change (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinrich, A. K. H. (1971). Chiefs and councils in Rhodesia: transition from patriarchal to bureaucratic power. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wekwete, K. H. (1992). New directions for urban development and management in Zimbabwe in rapidly urbanizing countries. The case of Zimbabwe. Habitat International, 16(2), 53–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wekwete, K. H. (1994). Urbanization, urban development and management in Zimbabwe. In K. H. Wekwete & C. O. Rambanepasi (Eds.), Planning urban economies in southern and eastern Africa (pp. 31–54). Belmont: Avebury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wekwete, K., & de Valk, P. (Eds.). (1990). Decentralization for participatory planning. Aldershot: Hants, Gower.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. J. (2007). Transitional governance and community part'icipation: the case of health facility boards in Western Cape, South Africa. In L. Tompson (Ed.), Participatory governance? Citizens and the state in South Africa (pp. 25–68). Cape Town: African Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

  • World Bank. (1989). Sub-Saharan Africa—from crisis to sustainable growth. Washington DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (1999). World development report 1999/2000: entering the 21st century. New York: Oxford University Press for the World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2002). World Bank Project Performance Assessment Report: Republic of Zimbabwe, Urban Sector and Regional development project (Loan 3079-ZIM), Rural District Council Pilot Capital Development Project (Credit N019-ZIM), June 25, 2002.

  • Wunsh, S. J. (2001). Decentralization, local governance and ‘Recentralization’ in Africa. Public Administration and Development, 21(2001), 277–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zanu-PF. (2013). Taking back the economy, indigenize, empower, develop and create employment: 2013 election manifesto. Harare: Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimbabwe Institute. (2005). Local government: policy review. Cape Town: Zimbabwe Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat). (2012). Census 2012: preliminary report. Harare: Government of Zimbabwe.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa

    Davison Muchadenyika

  2. School of Government, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa

    John J. Williams

Authors
  1. Davison Muchadenyika
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John J. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Davison Muchadenyika.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Muchadenyika, D., Williams, J.J. Social Change: Urban Governance and Urbanization in Zimbabwe. Urban Forum 27, 253–274 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-016-9278-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-016-9278-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation