The demise of public urban land management and the emergence of informal land markets in Tanzania: A case of Dar-es-Salaam city

Abstract

In consonance with ujamma (socialism) and in recognition of the role land plays in the development process, Tanzania adopted in 1967 a public land ownership policy. Ownership and management of land has henceforth remained in the public domain, at least in theory, despite the economic crisis, especially within the public sector and the subsequent reforms instituted since the mid 1980s. Examining the public land management practices in Dar-es-Salaam, the general contention of this paper is that the deficiencies of the public land management (especially in regard to allocation) have led to the evolution of informal land markets. The data presented in this paper have been collected from four case studies representing different kinds of informal markets. The paper argues for the appreciation and recognition of the latent market forces (which have subjugated bureaucratic land management practices) as entry points for the institution of an effective urban land management system. This is moreover thought necessary in order to ensure the articulation of land policy in a way favourable to prevailing economic revival strategics. Furthermore, the paper cautions on the socio-economic polarisation resulting from the continued laissez-faire and the marginalisation of the public involvement in the booming urban land market operations. It is hoped that this paper will provoke further discussions on the controversial debates going on in Tanzania today on the marketisation of urban land.