Seeking Urban Transformation

Seeking Urban Transformation. Alternative Urban Futures in Zimbabwe
tells the stories of ordinary people’s struggles to remake urban
centres. It interrogates and highlights the principle conditions in
which urban transformation takes place. The main catalysts of the
transformation are social movements and planning institutions. Social
movements pool resources and skills, acquire land, install
infrastructure and build houses. Planning institutions change policies,
regulations and traditions to embrace and support a new form of urban
development driven by grassroots movements.

Besides providing a
comprehensive analysis of planning and housing in Zimbabwe, there is a
specific focus on three urban centres of Harare, Chitungwiza and
Epworth. In metropolitan Harare, the books examines new housing and
infrastructure series to the predominantly urban poor population; vital
roles played by the urban poor in urban development and the adoption by
planning institutions of grassroots-centered, urban-planning approaches.

The
book draws from three case studies and in-depth interviews from diverse
urban shapers i.e. representatives and members of social movements,
urban planners, engineers, surveyors, policy makers, politicians, civil
society workers and students to generate a varied selection of insights
and experiences. Based on the Zimbabwean experience, the book
illustrates how actions and power of ordinary people contributes to the
transformation of African cities.