Informal Land Delivery and Management: a case of two housing areas in Zanzibar town

This paper presents some of the findings based on a research project, which has been carried out in two, recently developed, unplanned settlements in Zanzibar town and in several public offices. The research was conducted between March and May 1996 and will continue in Mbeya town. The study was focussed upon defining the effect of informal land management practices to the housing in unplanned areas in Zanzibar town. The study areas are within the Mto Upepo river valley and the surrounding area of Kibweni. The definition of town boundaries varies. However, both study areas are clearly part of the town although municipal services are not provided. Thus, both areas are outside the municipal boundary of Zanzibar town but inside the Master Plan (1982) boundaries. This paper identifies the impact of such developments in Zanzibar, which results in a shift of interest from the organisation of land management within government bodies to those working to support the actions that should take place.