Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements

Due to a massive shortage of housing alternatives, the creation and expansion of informal settlements in the global South have become an instant answer for individuals searching for places to live. Researchers and organisations are stressing the importance of public spaces in informal settlements. T...

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Main Authors: Jacob Lutta, Yves Schoonjans
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Bologna 2024-11-01
Series:In_Bo
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Online Access:https://in-bo.unibo.it/article/view/20408
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author Jacob Lutta
Yves Schoonjans
author_facet Jacob Lutta
Yves Schoonjans
author_sort Jacob Lutta
collection DOAJ
description Due to a massive shortage of housing alternatives, the creation and expansion of informal settlements in the global South have become an instant answer for individuals searching for places to live. Researchers and organisations are stressing the importance of public spaces in informal settlements. This paper uses the method of a case study to understand and assess the typological features of specific streetscapes by identifying their spatial characteristics, attributes, and socio-spatial configurations. The process of permanently claiming and appropriating open spaces in the streets is examined through the Mlalakuwa informal settlement neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam. Observations and qualitative data collection were the methods used in this research. The findings show that the space typology is a product of local human activities and connection networks that have been created to support the daily uses and routines, together with the liveliness with which the streetscape functions as a collective space. The contribution of this paper is to create knowledge on the different typological shapes of collective spaces in the Mlalakuwa community and how they are linked to their local needs. It will also raise explicit awareness among the community and policymakers. Understanding these shapes will be a step forward in the treatment of streetscapes for the purpose of improving people’s future lives.
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spelling doaj-art-5ea2665e17684fec9786b17a026a35672025-08-20T02:49:46ZengUniversity of BolognaIn_Bo2036-16022024-11-01157s627510.6092/issn.2036-1602/2040818778Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal SettlementsJacob Lutta0Yves Schoonjans1University of Dar es SalaamKU LeuvenDue to a massive shortage of housing alternatives, the creation and expansion of informal settlements in the global South have become an instant answer for individuals searching for places to live. Researchers and organisations are stressing the importance of public spaces in informal settlements. This paper uses the method of a case study to understand and assess the typological features of specific streetscapes by identifying their spatial characteristics, attributes, and socio-spatial configurations. The process of permanently claiming and appropriating open spaces in the streets is examined through the Mlalakuwa informal settlement neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam. Observations and qualitative data collection were the methods used in this research. The findings show that the space typology is a product of local human activities and connection networks that have been created to support the daily uses and routines, together with the liveliness with which the streetscape functions as a collective space. The contribution of this paper is to create knowledge on the different typological shapes of collective spaces in the Mlalakuwa community and how they are linked to their local needs. It will also raise explicit awareness among the community and policymakers. Understanding these shapes will be a step forward in the treatment of streetscapes for the purpose of improving people’s future lives.https://in-bo.unibo.it/article/view/20408informal settlementssustainable developmenturbanisationspatial featurestanzania
spellingShingle Jacob Lutta
Yves Schoonjans
Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
In_Bo
informal settlements
sustainable development
urbanisation
spatial features
tanzania
title Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
title_full Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
title_fullStr Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
title_full_unstemmed Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
title_short Streetscapes as Collective Spaces in Dar es Salaam’s Informal Settlements
title_sort streetscapes as collective spaces in dar es salaam s informal settlements
topic informal settlements
sustainable development
urbanisation
spatial features
tanzania
url https://in-bo.unibo.it/article/view/20408
work_keys_str_mv AT jacoblutta streetscapesascollectivespacesindaressalaamsinformalsettlements
AT yvesschoonjans streetscapesascollectivespacesindaressalaamsinformalsettlements