Urban Geography in Postcolonial Zimbabwe

This interdisciplinary book provides a cross-sectoral and multi-dimensional exploration and assessment of the urban geography perspectives in Zimbabwe. Drawing on work from different disciplines, the book not only contributes to academia but also seeks to inform urban policy with the view of contributing to the national aspirations of Zimbabwe attaining middle-income status by 2030. Adopting a multi-dimensional assessment that transcends disciplines such as urban and regional planning, human and physical geography, urban governance, political science, economics and development studies, the book provides a background for co-production concerning urban development in the Global South.The book contributes into its analysis of the institutional and legislative framework that relates to the urban geography of Zimbabwe, as these are responsible for the evolution of the urban system in the country. The connections among different sectors and issues such as environment, economy, politics and the wider objectives of the SDGs, especially goal 11 aspiring to create sustainable communities by 2030, are explored. The success stories relating to urban geography in Zimbabwe are identified together with the best possible practices that may inform urban planning, policy and management.

This interdisciplinary book provides a cross-sectoral and multi-dimensional exploration and assessment of the urban geography perspectives in Zimbabwe. Drawing on work from different disciplines, the book not only contributes to academia but also seeks to inform urban policy with the view of contributing to the national aspirations of Zimbabwe attaining middle-income status by 2030. Adopting a multi-dimensional assessment that transcends disciplines such as urban and regional planning, human and physical geography, urban governance, political science, economics and development studies, the book provides a background for co-production concerning urban development in the Global South.

Introduction to the urban geography scape of Zimbabwe.- Social justice in spatial governance.- Urban planning and policy in Zimbabwe: Change with continuity.- Studentification and its interplay on urban form and urban policy – reflection from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.- Urban governance and the political economy of livelihoods and poverty in Harare, Zimbabwe.- (Un)healthy cities: Reflections on urban public health in poor neighbourhoods.- Deviation, transgression or digression? The informal city as the dominant phenomenon in the Zimbabwean urban economy.- Ecological risks of the postcolonial city: Experiences from Harare, Zimbabwe.- Managing urban crime and insecurity in Zimbabwe.- More than urban agriculture: A case for planning for urban food security in Harare, Zimbabwe.- Urban development management in light of the risks and disasters caused by climate change.- Public parks and leisure in the post-independence context of Bulawayo City.- Urban land markets.- The political economy of urbaninformal settlements in Zimbabwe.- Putting together the broken pieces: Rewiring the urban geography of Zimbabwe.