Physical planning in Zimbabwe: a review of the legislative , administrative and operational framework

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of physical planning in Zimbabwe in the post-independence era against the background of a brief historical. Qverview of the development of planning during the colonial period. Account is taken of changes resulting from new state objectives, particularly as translated into the use of physical planning as a development (not simply development control) tool. Whereas physical planning during the colonial period was primarily used in the interests of the colonial settlers, since independence there has been a shift to focus on broader issues, especially those relating to rural development. This reflects the importance given by the Government of Zimbabwe to resolving the problems created by polarised development between what was a settler enclave and the rural underdeveloped periphery. The desire for socialist transformation is still a long... term dream which has not been meaningfully addressed because the capitalist forces of production are still dominant.