Informal Settlements in Tanzanian Cities: Addressing Resilience and Governance

URBAN RESILIENCE AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE SERIES

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Tanzania are straining planning, land management, infrastructure, and service provision, leading to the growth of informal settlements. The country’s population is 44.6% urban, exceeding the continental average of 43.5% (UN-Habitat, 2020). About 70-80% of the urban population resides in informal areas, which make up 40-80% of built-up areas in cities, and are highly vulnerable to urban resilience issues. Over 60 years, the government has shifted from exclusionary to more inclusive strategies to address urban informality. This paper acknowledges that informal settlements are an integral part of the urban fabric, and from this perspective, examines these approaches in terms of governance and resilience.