Harare Metropolitan Research Articles

Price, Availability, and Affordability of Antineoplastic Medicines in Harare’s Public and Private Institutions: Implication for Access

ObjectivesTo determine the price, availability, and affordability of antineoplastic medicines in private and public sector pharmacies in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe. MethodsThe study was based on the methodology recommended by the World Health Organization and Health Action International. A total of 32 antineoplastic medicines in 3 public central hospitals and 150 private pharmacies were surveyed. The median price ratio, percentage availability, affordability, and percentage markups were calculated. ResultsAvailability at the public institutions was 28%, whereas the private sector ranged from 1.3% to 42.7%. The median price ratio in the private sector ranged from 0.6 to 11, whereas the public sector ranged from 0.73 to 2.25. Affordability in the public sector ranged from 1 to 10 days wage and from 1 to 490 days wage in the private sector. The average percentage markup was 51.3% in the private sector and 34% in the public sector. ConclusionAntineoplastic medicines were more available in the private sector than in the public sector, but more affordable in the public sector. The average percentage markups for antineoplastic medicines demonstrated that medicines were not overpriced in the public sector, but in the private sector were sold at prices higher than the international reference price.

Effect of landscape pattern and spatial configuration of vegetation patches on urban warming and cooling in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT The spatial configuration of vegetation patches in the landscape has implications for the provision of ecosystem services, human adaptation to climate change, enhancement, or mitigation of urban heat island. Until recently, the effect of spatial configuration of vegetation to enhance or mitigate urban heat island has received little consideration in urban thermal assessments. This study examines the impact of spatial configuration of vegetation patches on urban thermal warming and cooling in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe. The study used Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), Landsat and Sentinel 2 data acquired between 1994 and 2017 to derive detailed information on vegetation patches, landscape metrics, and land surface temperature LST(°C). The spatial configuration of urban vegetation patterns was analyzed using landscape metrics in Fragstats program. Getis Ord Gi* as a Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) was used to characterize the spatial clustering and dispersion of urban vegetation patches. Results of the Getis Ord Gi* showed that clustered vegetation lowers surface temperatures more effectively than dispersed and fragmented patterns of vegetation. The size, density, shape complexity, and cohesion of vegetation patches conferred different levels of cooling but Patch Cohesion Index had the strongest negative relationship with LST(°C) at three spatial resolutions of 10 m (Sentinel 2), 15 m (ASTER) and 30 m (Landsat 8). The Spatial Lag Regression model performed better than the Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis in exploring the relationship between LST(°C) and landscape metrics. Specifically, the Spatial Lag Regression model showed higher R2 values and log likelihood, lower Schwarz criteria, and Akaike information criterion, and reduced spatial autocorrelations. The overall information provides important insights into the provision of larger, connected, and less fragmented urban vegetation patches to derive maximum and higher cooling effects which is critical for urban planning and design approaches for mitigating increasing surface temperatures in cities.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies: A survey of the general population residing in the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe.

BackgroundRabies remains endemic to the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe, with a lack of public participations potentially contributing to the limited success in eliminating the disease. We hypothesized that rabies intervention campaigns were less successful than they could be as a result of poor understanding of the disease at the community level, and thus aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards rabies in the province.MethodsA cross-sectional survey, using a semi-structured questionnaire, was implemented between January 2017 and June 2018 across the province and data were collected from 798 respondents. Frequency distributions and logistic regressions were undertaken to determine the factors associated with the adequacy of the prevailing rabies knowledge, pet ownership characteristics and the existing preventative practices.ResultsThe results of our study suggested that the majority of the respondents (92%) had heard of rabies. However, the level of rabies knowledge could be classified as “adequate” in only 36% of respondents. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that pet ownership and type of occupation were statistically associated with a better understanding and knowledge of the disease. Off all the respondents, 49% owned at least one dog or cat and suburb density and occupation were statistically associated with owning a pet. Amongst the pet owners, 57% consulted an animal health practitioner at least once a year and 75% were aware of a rabies vaccine for their pets. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, education and gender were statistically associated with pet owners taking their pet(s) to an animal clinic.ConclusionThis study showed that the majority of the respondents lacked comprehensive knowledge about rabies, with the knowledge pertaining to health seeking behaviour and the importance of rabies vaccination being the most lacking. Additional public education relying on key messages, aimed at the different target audiences, is required in the province.

A Business Case for the Adoption of a Knowledge Management Strategy and Government Policy as Precursors for Divapreneurship Development in Zimbabwe

The study showcases a business value proposition to policy makers for the adoption of a business paradigm involving the infusion of knowledge management practices, strategic thinking and government policy intervention for divapreneurship development in Zimbabwe. The significance of knowledge management (KM) in women entrepreneurial development arises from the fact that, KM is considered as one of the most effective strategic tools for enterprise survival (Kim and Koh, 2011). The study also investigated the antecedents of bringing about the divatude (positive attitude) in women, as a new way of addressing the impediments to the development of women so that they could be united, driven, inspired, action oriented and victorious ensuring that divapreneurship development becomes a reality in Zimbabwe (Bbenkele, 2013). The mixed method research paradigm was adopted with both quantitative and qualitative data integrated in data collection. Consequently, basing on a purposive sample of 558 structured questionnaires, and focus group discussions, data was collected in line with the sequential explanatory approach. The study was carried out in Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan Provinces, and Matabeleland North Provinces in Zimbabwe. The study recommended a ten factor framework for divapreneurship development involving universities as the nerve centre, in unrolling entrepreneurial education and training working in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development.

Assessment of Soil Erosion Using the RUSLE Model for the Epworth District of the Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

Urban development without adequate soil erosion control measures is becoming a major environmental concern in developing urban areas across Africa. These environmental disturbances encompass rampart Land Use and Land Cover changes (LULC) due to a high population growth rate and increased economic activities. To understand the influence of accelerated LULC changes and urban expansion as major drivers in landscape degradation in the Epworth district of the Harare Metropolitan Province, the RUSLE model was employed. This considers land use, soil, climate and topography as input parameters in the assessment of the extent and impact of these drivers on soil erosion. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used to predict the potential erosion between 1984 and 2018 and soil erosion risk for the years 2000 and 2018. The mean rate of the predicted potential soil erosion was 13.2 t ha−1 yr−1 (1984–2018); areas especially vulnerable to erosion were predicted for foot slope areas with direct tributaries to the major streams and steep sloping zones. The average soil erosion risk was estimated at 1.31 t ha−1 yr−1 for the year 2000 and 1.12 t ha−1 yr−1 for 2018. While the overall potential soil loss decreased between 2000 and 2018, the potential soil loss was observed to increase tremendously in residential areas, which doubled in extent between 2000 and 2018. The findings reveal that about 40% of the Epworth district was threatened by unsustainable soil loss resulting from increased soil erosion risk within the built-up areas.

The Role of Teachers in Community Engagement and Transmission of Government Policies and Political Ideology in Harare Metropolitan Province

Zimbabwe adopted a new economic blueprint, Vision 2030, whose goal is to transform and develop the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. The teachers' role is to make the education system become a tool that creates industrialisation and modernisation. Teachers are to embrace the Competency-Based Curriculum as a vehicle for the attainment of this Vision. The education sector has the key to transform the country. Teachers are expected to innovate in their teaching, play a role in community and pass on government policies and political ideology. The study sought to investigate teachers' role in community engagement and transmission of government policies and political ideology in Harare Province. It employed quantitative research design. It was conducted in 145 schools which were randomly-selected from 231 schools in the Province. Using National Education Association (NPA) formula, for a population size N=5656, 360 teachers constituted a representative sample at 5% significance level. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that teachers play a role in community engagement, providing leadership and guidance; but had no role to play in the transmission of government official political ideology which they regarded as no concern of theirs. They view politics as highly partisan, but not as defined by Harold Lasswell (1936), who views politics as the process of deciding 'who gets what, when, where and how?' Given that politics is inextricably linked to education, the study recommends that government puts in place teacher in-service re-orientation programmes aimed at equipping teachers with necessary political ideological education and conscientisation.

The impact of factors on the learning profile of orphaned children in particular in Harare, Zimbabwe

Background: The impact assessment of HIV/AIDS on the Education Sector in Zimbabwe (2001-2002) revealed that out of 1009 interviewed students within the range of 15-19 years, 286 (28%) were orphans, 100 (9.9%) had lost their mothers whilst 186 (18.4%) had lost their fathers. The same report stated that the assessment was not able to quantify in any rigorous way the impact that orphanhood had on educational outcomes. Materials and Methods: The Evaluation-Process and Outcome design was used, with a random selection of a sample of 516 secondary school students and 18 teachers in the Harare Metropolitan. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, was the theoretical framework. The study was approved by respective ethical review boards. All participants gave written informed consent. The SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. Results: Students who lost one parent more than four years prior to the study performed better. In the peri- urban area, those orphaned for one year or less performed with a significant difference (p< .023). Accompanying the compromised performance was lack of books, which was significantly different (p< .033). Orphans without mothers lacked financial resources, and there was a significant difference in their performance, according to average coursework marks (p

A quantitative framework for analysing long term spatial clustering and vegetation fragmentation in an urban landscape using multi-temporal landsat data

Rapid urbanization threatens urban green spaces and vegetation, demonstrated by a decrease in connectivity and higher levels of fragmentation. Understanding historic spatial and temporal patterns of such fragmentation is important for habitat and biological conservation, ecosystem management and urban planning. Despite their potential value, Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA) measures have not been sufficiently exploited in monitoring the spatial and temporal variability in clustering and fragmentation of vegetation patterns in urban areas. LISA statistics are an important structural measure that indicates the presence of outliers, zones of similarity (hot spots) and of dissimilarity (cold spots) at proximate locations, hence they could be used to explicitly capture spatial patterns that are clustered, dispersed or random. In this study, we applied landscape metrics, LISA indices to analyse the temporal variability in clustering and fragmentation patterns of vegetation patches in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe using Landsat series data for 1994, 2001 and 2017. Analysis of landscape metrics showed an increase in the fragmentation of vegetation patches between 1994–2017 as shown by the decrease in mean patch size, an increase in number of patches, edge density and shape complexity of vegetation patches. The study further demonstrates the utility of LISA indices in identifying key hot spot and cold spots. Comparatively, the highly vegetated northern parts of the city were characterised by significantly high positive spatial autocorrelation (p < 0.05) of vegetation patches. Conversely, more dispersed vegetation patches were found in the highly and densely urbanized western, eastern and southern parts of the city. This suggest that with increasing vegetation fragmentation, small and isolated vegetation patches do not spatially cluster but are dispersed geographically. The findings of the study underline the potential of LISA measures as a valuable spatially explicit method for the assessment of spatial clustering and fragmentation of urban vegetation patterns.

Effectiveness of community participation as anti-litter monitors in solid waste management in metropolitan areas in a developing country

Solid waste is increasing in Harare metropolitan owing to more affluent lifestyles, rapid urbanization and industrialization, obsolete litter disposing equipment and ineffective and erratic garbage collection schedules. A total of 3500 volunteers have been jointly trained as community-based anti-litter monitors by Harare authorities to curb solid waste challenges. This study assessed the effectiveness of involving communities in anti-litter monitors’ training initiatives through a comparative analysis of two adjacent suburbs in Harare, i.e. Mbare with the highest relative proportion of trained litter monitors and Sunningdale which was partially represented in the anti-litter monitors’ training programme. Impact on litter and residents’ knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practices, trained and untrained, were assessed through litter measurements, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Litter quantities were 6.4 ± 1.3 kg/week in Sunningdale and 5.6 ± 4.5 kg/week in Mbare for streets assessed. Approximately 90% of the residents interviewed know that littering poses a serious risk to human and environmental health and the economy, and acknowledge that it is a punishable offence. 100% of residents interviewed in Mbare showed good to better attitudes towards anti-littering, whilst 17% in Sunningdale revealed a negative attitude towards anti-littering initiatives. Actual anti-littering behaviour and practices were much poorer in both suburbs relative to the level of knowledge and attitudes expressed. Anti-litter monitors are currently more effective for disseminating anti-littering information than changing actual practices. This study indicates that they are a progression from the traditional clean-up and/or education and awareness campaigns which have short-lived impacts in solid waste management in metropolitan areas of developing countries like Zimbabwe.

Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Harare, Zimbabwe: A Case Study on the Linkage between Drivers and the Axis of Urban Expansion

With increasing population growth, the Harare Metropolitan Province has experienced accelerated land use and land cover (LULC) changes, influencing the city’s growth. This study aims to assess spatiotemporal urban LULC changes, the axis, and patterns of growth as well as drivers influencing urban growth over the past three decades in the Harare Metropolitan Province. The analysis was based on remotely sensed Landsat Thematic Mapper and Operational Land Imager data from 1984–2018, GIS application, and binary logistic regression. Supervised image classification using support vector machines was performed on Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI data combined with the soil adjusted vegetation index, enhanced built-up and bareness index and modified difference water index. Statistical modelling was performed using binary logistic regression to identify the influence of the slope and the distance proximity characters as independent variables on urban growth. The overall mapping accuracy for all time periods was over 85%. Built-up areas extended from 279.5 km2 (1984) to 445 km2 (2018) with high-density residential areas growing dramatically from 51.2 km2 (1984) to 218.4 km2 (2018). The results suggest that urban growth was influenced mainly by the presence and density of road networks.

Exploring the spatial patterns of vegetation fragmentation using local spatial autocorrelation indices

The spatial heterogeneity of urban vegetation obtained from discrete land cover classes is sensitive to classification errors and can result in a substantial loss of information, due to the degradation of continuous quantitative information. Although there is an increasing ecological need to use continuous methods to understand spatial heterogeneity and vegetation fragmentation, they remain unexplored. Since local indicators of spatial association (LISA) can capture important spatial patterns of clustering and dispersion at a local scale, it can capture important ecological patterns and process of vegetation fragmentation. This work examines the utility of LISA which allows exploration of local patterns in spatial data in identifying high (hot spots) and low (cold spots) spatial clusters of vegetation patches and fragmentation patterns in Harare metropolitan city in Zimbabwe. The LISA indices of Getis-Ord Gi* and local Moran’s I are computed both on continuous normalized difference vegetation index and discrete land cover data of vegetation and nonvegetation of Sentinel 2016 and 2018. Local spatial clustering patterns are identified with Z-score values that indicate the significance of each statistic. High positive Z-scores are located in the large core, undisturbed, and homogeneous vegetation. Negative Z-scores are located in more dispersed and highly fragmented vegetation. The results suggest that there is a strong tendency for large core, undisturbed, and homogeneous vegetation patches to be spatially clustered and for small, isolated and sparse vegetation patches to be dispersed. The highly fragmented vegetation patches are located in the heavily urbanized part of the city. Overall, findings of this study underscore the relevance of the spatially explicit method of LISA as a valuable source of spatial information for the assessment of local spatial clustering and dispersion of urban vegetation patches. This can be used to develop policies that support effective conservation and restoration strategies.

RETRIEVAL OF LOCAL CLIMATE ZONES AND THEIR LINKAGES TO LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE USING REMOTE SENSING IN HARARE METROPOLITAN CITY, ZIMBABWE

Abstract. This study sought to determine Local Climate Zones (LCZs) in Harare metropolitan City, using Landsat 8 multi-spectral and multi-temporal data. The World Urban Database and Access Portal Tool (WUDAPT) and Support Vector Machine classifiers were applied. Training datasets were extracted from Google Earth as prescribed by the WUDAPT procedure. Before image classification, we tested the separability of the LCZs, using the Transformed Divergence Separability Index (TDSI) based on the digitized training datasets and Landsat 8 data. Derived LCZs were then linked with Landsat 8 derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) for the cool and hot seasons. TDSI values greater 1.9 were obtained indicating that LCZs were highly separable. Comparatively, the WUDAPT method produced more accurate LCZs results (Overall accuracy = 95.69%) than the SVM classifier (Overall accuracy = 89.86%) based on seasonal Landsat 8 data. However, SVM derived accuracies were within the acceptable range of at least 80% (overall accuracy) in literature. Further, LST was observed to be high in LCZs with high built-up density and low vegetation proportion, when compared to other zones. Due to high proportion of vegetation, sparsely built areas were at least 1 °C cooler. Although LCZs are usually linked at 2 m air temperature, they also strongly explain LST distribution. This work provides insight into the importance of mapping LCZs in third world countries where such information remains scarce.

Remotely sensed retrieval of Local Climate Zones and their linkages to land surface temperature in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe

This study sought to determine Local Climate Zones (LCZs) in Harare metropolitan City, using Landsat 8 multi-spectral and multi-temporal data. The World Urban Database and Access Portal Tool (WUDAPT) and Support Vector Machine classifiers were applied. Training datasets were extracted from Google Earth as prescribed by the WUDAPT procedure. Before image classification, we tested the separability of the LCZs, using the Transformed Divergence Separability Index (TDSI) based on the digitized training datasets and Landsat 8 data. Derived LCZs were then linked with Landsat 8 derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) for the cool and hot seasons. TDSI values greater 1.9 were obtained indicating that LCZs were highly separable. Comparatively, the WUDAPT method produced more accurate LCZs results (Overall accuracy = 95.69%) than the SVM classifier (Overall accuracy = 89.86%) based on seasonal Landsat 8 data. However, SVM derived accuracies were within the acceptable range of at least 80% (overall accuracy) in literature. Further, LST was observed to be high in LCZs with high built-up density and low vegetation proportion, when compared to other zones. Due to high proportion of vegetation, sparsely built areas were at least 1 °C cooler. Although LCZs are usually linked at 2 m air temperature, they also strongly explain LST distribution. This work provides insight into the importance of mapping LCZs in third world countries where such information remains scarce.

Suitability of municipal solid waste in African cities for thermochemical waste-to-energy conversion: The case of Harare Metropolitan City, Zimbabwe.

The recovery of energy from municipal solid waste (MSW) has gained popularity in many industrialized countries, but its adoption in economically developing countries, especially in Africa, has been slow. While capital investments and technical requirements for waste-to-energy (WtE) systems are among the most important causes for this slow adoption, the unavailability of data on the thermochemical quality of MSW as a potential feedstock for energy recovery is also a limiting factor. In this paper, Harare, a typical African city, was selected as a case study. The evaluation was based on the analysis of the MSW's composition, moisture as-discarded, thermochemical properties and energy content. The results show that the quality of the MSW is comparable to that in regions outside Africa where WtE has been a success. The combustible fraction exceeded 75 wt% making it ideal for thermal treatment without requiring supplementary fuel. With an MSW throughput of 421,757 tonnes year-1 (11.1% of which is recycled), and a lower heating value of 10.1 MJ kg-1, the energetic potential was estimated at 3.8 × 106 GJ. MSW thermal treatment via conventional technologies can reduce the waste throughput to landfills by up to 40%, provide up to 112 GWh year-1 of electrical energy, and increase the annual share of electrical energy produced from bio-fuels and wastes from 1.3% to at least 2.2%. These benefits make thermal MSW treatment a suitable option for waste disposal in African cities.

Establishing the link between urban land cover change and the proliferation of aquatic hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Harare Metropolitan, Zimbabwe

Urban growth is a key process affecting the functioning of natural ecosystems, and consequently the global land-surface process. This work aimed at establishing the link between land cover changes around Harare Metropolitan city and the proliferation of aquatic hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Lake Chivero. Remotely sensed Landsat series acquired in the year 1973, 1981, 1994, 1998, 2008, 2009 and 2014 was used. Image classification was implemented to map the associated changes over time using discriminant analysis algorithm. Derived thematic land cover maps showed that agricultural land increased from 2% in 1973 to a 5% in 1981 reaching up to 30% in 2014, whereas the city's land area significantly (p < 0.05) increased between 1973 and 1994. However, water hyacinth constantly increased over time. The spatial and temporal resolution of Landsat images detected land cover changes and the proliferation of aquatic hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Lake Chivero over time.

Medical ethics and profit motivated medical practice - the dilemma of a modern day private health practitioner

The rapid emergence of for-profit health care organizations over the past few years poses critical questions on the ethics of health care delivery. The study explores the ethical implications of commodification of health care service as it relates to the healing relationship between the professionals and their patients. A cross-sectional study of for-profit health practitioners in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe was done from a representative sample size which was randomly selected from the practitioners register. Respondents answered self-administered questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using Epi Info Version 7, to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. A significant proportion of for-profit medical practitioners are not practicing or adhering to good ethical practices but preferring alternatives which generate income. Medical ethics should be viewed as dynamic, situational and circumstantial. The study concludes that unregulated commodification of health care services, negatively affects the healing relationship between the professionals and their patients due to lack of trust which is the fundamental backbone of the relationship. The study recommends that regulators of medical practice, Health Professions Authority and Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, should regularly review the ethical conducts standards for practitioners since they are dynamic and not to rigidly codify ethics, as they prevent better human relations and adjustments.

Prediction of future urban surface temperatures using medium resolution satellite data in Harare metropolitan city, Zimbabwe

The objective of the study was to determine the impact of urban growth on future micro-climate of Harare by predicting future distribution of land use and land cover, as well as land surface temperature using Cellular Automata Markov Chain analysis. Landsat series data was used to map Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and land surface temperature distribution during the month of October for the year 1984, 1993, 2001 and 2015. The Cellular Automata Markov Chain analysis was used to determine long term landscape transformation at 10-year time steps from 2015 to 2045. We further tested the potential of a variety of vegetation and non-vegetation indices to predict land surface temperature. Results show that the Urban Index (UI), non-vegetation index was the best predictor of surface temperature, since it had the highest correlation with retrieved surface temperature (r = 0.9831). When tested against temperature derived from thermal band in October 2015, the mean absolute percentage error of the UI derived temperature was 5.27%. Based on changes which occurred between 1984 and 2015, the Cellular Automata Markov Chain analysis predicted that high density built-up areas will increase monotonically from 470.02 in 2015 to 490.36 km2 in 2045. Green spaces were predicted as decreasing from 57.42 to 27.85 km2, while croplands also decrease from 30.27 to 16.93 km2 between 2015 and 2040. Using UI as predictor of land surface temperature, we predicted that the 18–28 °C class will decrease in coverage between 2015 and 2040, while the 36–45 °C category will increase in proportion covered from 42.5 to 58% of city. We concluded that continued urban growth will increase warming and result in high future temperatures unless mitigation efforts are strengthened. The findings of this study are important in informing future development of cities to consider growth implications on future temperatures and thermal comfort of urban residents.

Linking major shifts in land surface temperatures to long term land use and land cover changes: A case of Harare, Zimbabwe

Rapid urban development is known to increase a landscape's thermal values, exposing residents to among others adverse heat related health impacts, discomfort as well as energy and water demand. Therefore, there is need to determine the implication of the transforming urban landscapes on urban micro-climate to optimise urban land uses and to effectively mitigate adverse impacts. In this study, we aimed at assessing micro-climate forcing of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in the heterogeneous Harare Metropolitan City, Zimbabwe, between 1984 and 2015. To achieve this objective, the transformation of major LULCs within the city was determined and relative brightness temperature used to assess long-term thermal changes in the city. Results show that coverage of high density residential areas increased by 92% between 1984 and 2016 at the expense of cooler green-spaces, which decreased by 75.5%. This translated to a 0.98°C and 1.98°C temperature increase, attributed to LULC changes alone and to all factors that include greenhouse effect and ozone depletion respectively. Results also show that converting bare areas to water bodies reduced surface temperatures by 4.5°C, while the construction of low-to-medium density residential areas reduced bare surface temperatures by 3.78°C. Conversion of green-spaces to low-medium residential areas increased temperatures by 0.16°C. Overall, conversion of LULC types contributed more than 0.5°C thermal elevation within the city, largely attributed to increases in built-up areas and reduction in heat mitigating green-spaces. These findings offer insight into landscape surface energy balance changes arising from urbanization, critical for urban planning, environmental governance as well and climate change management in cities.

Critical Elements that Enhance Assessment of Children with Learning Disabilities in the Remedial Programme in Zimbabwe: A Case of the Harare Metropolitan Province

Critical Elements that Enhance Assessment of Children with Learning Disabilities in the Remedial Programme in Zimbabwe: A Case of the Harare Metropolitan Province

Coping With Informality and Illegality: The Case of Street Entrepreneurs of Harare Metropolitan, Zimbabwe

The study sought to examine how street vendors were coping with informality and illegality in metropolitan Harare. Data collection techniques included in-depth personal interviews, direct observations and documentary reviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-economic and technical data pertaining to street vending and the resistance strategies adopted by the vendors. The study showed that despite numerous constraints placed on various groups of street traders, these groups had actually developed survival and resistance strategies that enabled them to maintain their livelihoods from public urban space. These strategies included “soft” forms of resistance; small-scale individual and group actions; subtle and innovative arrangements and even open protest and direct confrontation with the authorities. This was because for many street vendors, the street provided them with an honourable and respectable means of livelihoods. The study recommended that the government should recognise street industry through registration and introduction of a code of practice for street vendors. Over time a legal instrument should be introduced to regulate the operations of street traders. However, as a first step towards recognition, street vendors should constitute themselves into well organised associations that could become a forum of negotiations with the City of Harare. Future research should focus on quantifying the number of street vendors in Harare and their economic benefits.