Reframing compulsory land acquisition through spatial justice: evidence from urban land development in Tanzania

This paper examines compulsory land acquisition in Tanzania through a spatial justice lens, integrating distributive, procedural, recognitional, and interactional justice within a rule-process-outcome framework. Using a mixed-methods design, the study analysed survey data from 233 Project-Affected Persons and interviews with 15 key stakeholders in the urban vicinities of Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. Findings show that acquisition practices remain compensation-centred, with limited recognition of informal and customary tenure, inadequate participation, and persistent gender disparities. These shortcomings contribute to displacement, peripheralization, livelihood disruption, and the growth of informal settlements. The study argues that spatial justice requires tenure recognition, meaningful participation, gender equity, and inclusive resettlement beyond compensation.