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An Analysis of the Effects of Piecemeal Planning on Development of Small Urban Centres in Zimbabwe: Case Study of Plumtree

In Zimbabwe, the first traces of urban development by modern standards date back to the time of colonization. Colonial powers developed urban centres as administrative, economic and political centres to strengthen a capitalist system of production. Apart from the racial segregationist policies of the colonial administrators that restricted black urbanization, general population increase in these urban centres culminated in the institutionalization of urban planning to achieve order, harmony, economy, efficiency and city beauty. Regardless of the multiplicity of town planning regulatory frameworks passed from pre and post independence Zimbabwe, piecemeal planning guide urban development in most towns and cities. This research uses case-study analysis to explore the effects of piecemeal planning on development of Plumtree. Extensive desk review was done to collect data on historical development of planning in Zimbabwe, while interviews were held with key personnel in Plumtree Town Council and the Department of Physical Planning to ascertain the effects of piecemeal planning on urban development. Amongst its key findings, the research observed that; apart from being incremental in nature, piecemeal planning is not a sustainable tool for development planning, for example, its concern with the immediate problems facilitated skewed urban development in Plumtree, disorderly cityscape, and production numerous micro-designs/layouts with concomitant management challenges. On the other hand, capacity constraints, cumbersome planning procedures, lack of effective commitment and political pressure are among the noted drivers of piecemeal planning in Plumtree. In that regard, review of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act to make preparation of spatial development plans mandatory, flexible, responsive and less bureaucratic, and sufficient budgetary support to the Department of Physical Planning will help to ease the situation. In addition, occasional seminars particularly for local authority policy makers, on development planning may help to demystify the place of development planning in fostering sustainable growth of their urban centres.