Integrating strategic environmental assessment (SEA) into the District Planning in Tanzania: Methodological considerations for practice

Abstract

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an important tool for enabling decision-makers makes informed strategic decisions about the environmental implications of proposed policies, programmes and plans. However, in Tanzania SEA is not as widely used as other such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Tanzania has evolved various approaches for planning processes with very few attempts to integrate SEA in the planning process partly due to inadequate knowledge of SEA and the role that it can play in decision-making. This article discusses a methodological approach for integrating SEA into the district planning process in Tanzania. In this article it is argued that integrating SEA in the District planning would significantly improve the planning process and contribute to sustainable development. Capacity building is a key component if SEA is to make positive contributions to planning and decision making processes. Journal of Building and Land Development Vol. 13 (1) 2006: pp. 39-49