Tanzania:Urban Planning Challenges Exacerbate The Flooding Crisis In Dar Es Salaam

By Adonis Byemelwa

Relentless rainfall in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, January 21, 2024, has unleashed widespread flooding, causing certain roads to become impassable and submerging homes in low-lying areas.

This alarming event underscores the city's susceptibility to weather-related incidents, prompting concerns about its preparedness and resilience in the face of such challenges.

Between 4:00 AM and 6:15 PM, the Ubungo External area experienced traffic disruptions as water-filled drains along Mandela Road prevented vehicles from Buguruni from passing, resulting in flooded streets.

In the Mbagala ward of Temeke District, the cutting-edge Rapid Bus Transit terminal found itself submerged under floodwaters, prompting residents to question the wisdom of establishing a multi-billion infrastructure in an area seemingly ill-suited for such endeavors.

This scenario mirrors the predicament faced in Jangwani, where a similar bus stand was constructed, only to remain unused during the rainy seasons, thereby compromising the convenience of commuters.

Pedestrians navigated through water-covered railway tracks due to flooding on the road from Tabata Mwananchi to Tabata Kisiwani. This significantly impacted public transportation to Kawe, Mwenge, Makumbusho, Ubungo, and Mbezi, making travel challenging.

Concerns were raised by a daladala (minibus) driver, Juma Hassan, advising against attempting to pass through the flooded areas, emphasizing the risk of damaging vehicles.

Additionally, the ongoing rain caused the Tabata Kisiwani bridge to overflow, disrupting communication between Tabata Relini and Tabata Kisiwani. Kimara Mwisho residents faced challenges with waterlogged bus stations, making it difficult for passengers to board daladalas.

The Tabata Segerea area also experienced public transportation difficulties, with passengers enduring long waits at the Tabata Segerea terminal due to the inclement weather.

The rain affected Coco Beach-like conditions in Posta and its surroundings, with some individuals carrying their shoes and lifting their long clothing to continue their journey. Effluent from Posta's sewage pipes mixed with rainwater was observed.

Notably, the report highlighted damaged infrastructure and fallen trees in various parts of the city, including the areas near the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) building and the Ministry of Health.

The aftermath reflects not only the immediate impact of the heavy rains but also underscores the challenges in urban planning that contribute to the ongoing crisis.

The flooding crisis sheds light on the legal and practical challenges associated with the declaration of planning areas.

In the early stages of urban land use planning, the minister has discretionary powers to declare planning areas.

The lack of a mandatory requirement raises concerns about areas being left out of planning, leading to unregulated development.

This becomes particularly problematic in situations where timely discretion is not exercised, allowing uncontrolled development in vulnerable areas.

The discretionary nature of planning area declaration poses an environmental risk. Without a declared planning area, environmental management issues cannot be integrated into planning efforts.

The consequences are evident in the informal development of many parts of Dar es Salaam, including slums where residents lack the benefits of regulated development and environmental considerations.

While public hearings are a legal requirement before declaring planning areas, opposition from residents and stakeholders can hinder the process.

This legal challenge creates a situation where areas remain undeveloped due to the lack of formal planning.

Consequently, this fosters informal development, making it difficult for planning authorities to enforce environmental regulations.

The preparation and implementation of master plans face political and bureaucratic hurdles, with stakeholders' support deemed necessary. This often leads to delays in the approval and operationalization of master plans.

The extended timelines for master plans, as seen in Dar es Salaam's case, contribute to unguided and uncontrolled development. The 1979 master plan, which should guide urban development, has not been reviewed or updated, further exacerbating the challenges.

The practical ineffectiveness of master plans is evident in their failure to bring about desired results. Delays in the preparation process, coupled with the lack of periodic reviews, leave planners without updated guidance. This creates a scenario where ongoing land developments lack proper oversight and control, contributing to the current flooding crisis.

The legal challenges in urban planning directly correlate with the flooding crisis in Dar es Salaam. The lack of timely and mandatory declaration of planning areas has left many parts of the city vulnerable to unregulated development, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

The absence of effective master plans, compounded by the failure to review and update existing plans, has left the city without the necessary tools to guide sustainable and regulated urban development.

The aftermath of the flooding underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and enforceable urban planning framework. The legal challenges identified, such as discretionary powers in planning area declaration and the cumbersome master plan approval process, contribute to the city's vulnerability.

Without addressing these legal issues, Dar es Salaam will continue to face environmental crises, affecting its residents and infrastructure.

A World Bank report from 2018 warned that infrastructure worth over $5.3 billion (TZS 13.3 trillion) in Dar es Salaam was at risk of deterioration due to the impact of rainfall and flooding. The economic burden on households was also mentioned, emphasizing the need for measures to address the challenges posed by weather-related incidents in the city.

Therefore, the ongoing flooding crisis in Dar es Salaam is a stark reminder of the intricate link between legal challenges in urban planning and the city's resilience to weather-related incidents. A reevaluation of the legal framework, emphasizing mandatory planning area declarations, streamlined master plan approval processes, and regular reviews, is crucial to mitigating future crises and ensuring sustainable urban development.