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Sustainability of open spaces in urban centres is threatened by overpopulation. A study was conducted in 2014 within four wards of Dodoma Capital City District (CCD), to investigate the influence of urban expansion on institutional arrangements for management of urban open spaces. Specific objectives being to establish the trends of urban expansion in relation to open space provision and accessibility; to identify institutions, roles, mandates and to identify important strength, weakness, opportunities and threats for managing open spaces in CCD. Socio-economic survey involving panel discussions, questionnaires, focused group discussions and interviews were conducted. The latter were complemented by participatory resource assessment including GIS. Qualitative data were analysed into simple descriptive statistics. It was revealed that CCD expanded to 12 km radius in 2013. The population increased from 9,000 people in 1943 to 410,956 in 2013. Important institutions include CDA and DMC. Transformation of urban open spaces is 16,800 ha out of 23,817 ha (70.5%) demarcated in Capital City Master Plan. Most of open spaces are being converted into a wide range of business investments. CDA recorded a total of 64 businesses in open spaces in 2013. Potential strengths for enhanced management of open spaces include existing policies and legal frameworks being implemented by both CDA and DMC. Noted weaknesses include budget constraints, high extent of open space degradation, inadequate community participation, and contradicting institutional arrangements. Main mitigation measures include availability of funds, law enforcement, and enhanced community participation. It is concluded that institutional arrangements, registration and use of GIS for monitoring urban land use and in particular open spaces is imperative. It is recommended that effectiveness in management can be realized through capacity building. |
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