On participatory urban planning in contexts of limited institutional capacity: An analysis of Kigamboni detailed framework and guideline 2019–2039 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Recent scholarly works discuss the potential of participatory urban planning for addressing limitations of top-down master planning in mitigating unregulated urban development in East Africa. However, urban design developed through participatory mechanisms in this context remains understudied. This paper analyzes a recent participatory urban planning project in Kigamboni municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, using qualitative visual analysis of the plans. Notably, the plans rely heavily on land use zoning and detailed regulation of the built environment. However, as the local authorities have previously faced challenges with enforcement of such regulations, these instruments will likely continue to have limited impact. In addition, the plans include large-scale strategic planning components such as an international port and major industrial areas in the most remote and least developed part of the city, that require considerable investments. However, our analysis suggests that these components lack the institutional and economic framework to enable implementation and enforcement. Accordingly, the plans resemble regional examples of top-down approaches to master planning, by projecting urban ideals that are inconsistent with the institutional, technical, and economic capacity required for effective implementation and enforcement. We recommend that participatory strategic regional planning in East Africa includes central level institutional integration to verify viability and investment commitment, while local level planning should emphasize layout of mobility systems and plots in line with the realities on the ground, as such approaches hold more potential for effective implementation and long-term impact. • Analyses a participatory urban planning project in Dar es Salaam. • Identifies discrepancies between the plans and the institutional limitations. • Recommends that participatory strategic regional planning in East Africa integrate central level government stakeholders to verify viability and allocation of resources. • Recommends that participatory local level planning emphasize community determined establishment of infrastructure and layout of mobility systems and plots in line with the realities on the ground.