THE AFRICAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL

Enhancing Urban Spacing to Address Juvenile Delinquency in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Daudi S imon Chanila — 2025-10-23

Juvenile delinquency is a universal phenomenon in which youth engage in deviant behaviour. Urban spacing is an important factor to juvenile delinquency which can impinge upon access to education. This paper attempts to show how urban spacing precipitates juvenile delinquency. Methodologically, this study employed a systematic review which involved seven steps as suggested by Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (2007). The significant findings were that there is a correlation between urban spacing and juvenile delinquency in the city of Dar es Salaam. This was exemplified through disparities in dwelling places (mono-functional spaces), disapproval and sanctions; lack of sense of responsibility amongst parents; changing social relationships; failure to accommodate huge population, lacking basic social amenities and hidings of juvenile delinquent activities. This study concluded that the undue urban spacing has impacted juveniles’ behaviour tremendously, plunging them into juvenile delinquency. The study recommended that the government and other actors ensure towns and cities are well arranged/ spaced to minimize hidings, set out playgrounds and recreation activities for children and youths, and create awareness among parents on responsible parenthood in urban areas.

The Role of Boda Bodas in Shaping Residential Patterns: A Case Study of Urban Expansion in Tanzania

Straton Kakoko Ruhinda — 2025-10-23

This study explores the social and cultural implications of bodabodas (motorcycle taxis) on residential patterns in Tanzania, focusing on how this informal mode of transport has reshaped urban spaces, influenced social cohesion, and altered patterns of daily life. Specifically, it examines the role of bodabodas in shaping residential patterns in Goba and Chanika, two peri-urban areas of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These areas, previously considered remote due to poor infrastructure, have experienced significant growth and urbanization, largely facilitated by the advent of bodabodas. The study employs a qualitative case study design, using interviews and focus group discussions with residents and bodaboda operators. Findings reveal that bodabodas have enabled residents to transport building materials, commute to urban centers, and establish homes in areas that were once inaccessible. Beyond enhancing our understanding of urban expansion, this research offers insights into how technological and infrastructural shifts reshape community structures, influence social networks, and transform cultural practices. Despite their positive impact on mobility and urban expansion, the study also highlights the risks associated with bodabodas, including accidents, fatalities, and involvement in criminal activities. Drawing on theories of Urban Ecology and Lefebvre's Production of Space, the study analyzes the socio-spatial transformations driven by these informal transport systems. It concludes with recommendations for improving safety, regulating the sector, enhancing road infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable urban growth. These steps aim to mitigate the risks associated with bodabodas while maximizing their contribution to the urbanization process in Dar es Salaam.

Evaluating Interagency Collaboration for Environmental Compliance: A Case Study of Tanzania’s Mining Regulations

Furaha Julius — 2025-10-23

This study evaluated the collaborative efforts among Tanzania’s key regulatory agencies overseeing Tanzania’s mining sector, specifically the Tanzania Mining Commission (TMC), the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) and, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA). The study focuses on how the actors from these institutions interact in fulfilling their regulatory roles. It seeks to address the tendency to overemphasise the institutional dimension of environmental regulation, leaving behind the relational approach. This was planned to answer two fundamental questions: i) how environmental regulators interact in fulfilling their shared responsibilities and, ii) what challenges they encounter at an interpersonal level. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews, field observations and, statistical evaluations of compliance data. The findings indicate that regulators engaged in various forms of joint and independent activities to enforce compliance. They worked together through joint inspections, audits, and compliance monitoring. However, the degree of cooperation varied significantly across different locations and, low trust deterred cooperation. Some areas, like Geita and North Mara, exhibited strong interagency collaboration due to, relatively high trust among regulators. In contrast, those in other areas experienced fragmented regulatory oversight due to inconsistent cooperation and trust deficits. This underlines the recommendation for proactive measures to foster open communication and strengthen interpersonal relationships among regulators, which are requisites of trust building.

Measures taken by Industries in Increasing their Capacity of Carbon Sink in Tanzania

Ahmad Ally Maguo — 2025-10-23

This paper examined measures taken by industries to increase their capacity for carbon sinks in Tanzania. The study was carried out in the Coast Region of Tanzania. The study design adopted was cross-sectional, whereby a sample of 92 industries was drawn from 1192 industries located in the Coast Region. Industries involved were energy plants, processing industries, and manufacturing industries. Data were collected using documentary review, interview, and observation. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The results were presented in the form of charts and percentages. Findings revealed that industries used different strategies to reduce the generation of carbon dioxide such as material substitution, improving resource use efficiency, industrial symbiosis, and fuel switching to electrification. Study found that employed by industries in reducing the emission of carbon dioxide include; producing low-carbon products, investing in low-carbon infrastructures, improving productivity, climate diplomacy, and international cooperation, installing low-carbon technologies. Study recommends that the existing policy should provide clear incentives such as grants, tax incentives, or recognition programs for industries investing in carbon-sinking measures. Industries should invest in research and development to advance carbon capture technologies and practices as a result these technologies will be more accessible and economically viable for industries. Industries should implement capacity-building initiatives through training programs that focus on best practices in carbon sinking and sustainability; this will foster a culture of environmental responsibility. The study concluded that industries are working on reducing the generation of carbon dioxide from their sources

The Role of ODL in the Promotion of Renewable Energy Education for Sustainable Development in Tanzania

Anna Ibrahimu Wawa — 2025-10-23

Renewable Energy Education (REE) is vital for a society to shift from fossil fuels to clean and sustainable green energy. While the promotion of Renewable energy technologies is positive for sustainable development, the users are still facing many challenges due to lack of expertise, technical support services and public knowledge regarding these technologies. Education plays a pivotal role in creating awareness and promotion of Renewable energy concepts amongst the general public. This paper intends to prove that, ODL system is the best reliable and affordable education system for training the larger part of population to empower them on adoption of renewable energy technologies. The study based on literature review and documentation to reveal the way renewable energy education is being disseminated through Open and distance learning. The findings prove that ODL system stands a better chance of educating a larger part of the population compared to conventional systems. It is recommended that ODL institutions consider the establishment of courses that meet the energy market demand for sustainable development.

Farmers-Pastoralists Perceptions on Climate Change in Mvomero District, Tanzania

Athuman Ibrahim Mbarouk — 2025-10-23

This study investigated the perceptions of farmers and pastoralists regarding climate change in Mvomero District, Tanzania. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview, Focus Group Discussions and documentary literature review. A total of 391 heads of households were surveyed, and 26 key informants were interviewed constituting four Village Chairpersons, four Village Executive Officers (VEOs), four Heads of Village Security Committees, four Village Agricultural and Livestock Officers (VALOs), four Ward Executive Officers (WEOs), the District Executive Director (DED), and the Officer Commanding District of Police (OCD). The study aimed to underscore local perceptions of climate change, identifying the impacts on agricultural practices, and evaluating adaptive strategies employed by the study communities. The findings revealed that both farmers and pastoralists perceive climate change as a significant threat to their livelihoods. Adaptation strategies implemented include altering planting dates, diversifying crops, improving water conservation techniques and integrating livestock with crop farming. Despite these efforts, several barriers to effective adaptation persist, including limited access to climate information, inadequate financial resources and insufficient support from local government and extension services. The study emphasizes the need for tailored interventions that enhance adaptive capacity and resilience. Policy recommendations include improving access to timely and accurate climate information, strengthening local institutions, and promoting community-based adaptation strategies.

Linking Local and Scientific Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation in Semi-Arid Area: A Case Study of Igunga District, Tanzania

Josephat Malero Mung’onya — 2025-10-23

Climate change poses threats to semi-arid biomes worldwide that calls for global efforts to combat its effects through adaptation and mitigation practices. Recent studies recognized the importance of including Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) and Scientific Knowledge (SN) in research on climate change impacts and adaptation. This paper explored indigenous knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation and its relation to scientific knowledge in semi-arid areas, Igunga District, Tanzania. The study adopted a mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative approaches including household questionnaires survey, key informant interviews and field observations. The study found out evidence of pronounced climate change impacts in Igunga District from the scientific literature and local reports. The findings highlighted that, there is extensive overlap between information derived from local and scientific knowledge systems. And that about 96% of respondents in the study area uses their ILK in predicting weather and adaptation to climate change impacts. Majority of the respodents reported the associated climate change impacts with erratic rainfall, increase of temperature and frequent prolonged droughts. Overall, our results suggest that cross information of indigenous and scientific should be used to develop local community coping and adaptation strategies to climate change. The study concludes by suggesting inclusion of ILK in policy formulation for climate change adaptation and risk management.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices in Hotels in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Yohana Lawi — 2025-10-23

This study aims to examine hotel practices on solid waste management in Zanzibar Island in the United Republic of Tanzania. Specifically, the study analyses the solid waste management practices based on size and location of the hotel as well as degree of international influence. Furthermore, the study analyzes the stakeholder participation in solid waste management. A survey was conducted in December 2019 using a questionnaire to the 158 hotels in all three regions of Zanzibar obtained using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the study showed that solid waste management by the hotel depends on the type of solid waste generated in which recycled was most preferred for food waste (18.4%), re-use for glass waste (23.4%), incineration for paper and cardboard waste (25.9%). Furthermore, regression analysis results showed that three variables explain practice of dumping solid waste in open space. These are contact with waste recycling firm (p=09), frequency of waste collection (p=0.011) and location (p=0.75). Hotels that have established contact with waste recycling firm are less likely to adopt open dumping, whereas high frequency of collecting waste decrease likelihood of dumping solid wastes. It has well been noted that hotel located in rural areas more likely to dispose waste in open dumping. The results also indicated that there was an association between hotel ownership (internationalization) and reduced use of plastic solid waste. Finally, the regression model was significant at 1 percent with p value of 0.001, implying that independent variables specified in the model which were hotel location and monitoring frequency correct determine whether food wastes are recycled at hotel premise or not. It can be concluded that, that management of waste is a combination of hotel related factors and external attributes that relates to regional or local administration. It is therefore recommended that local and national authorities should increase the frequency of waste collection and monitoring to enhance the sustainable waste management practices.

Human-Wildlife Interactions in the Selous: Causes, Impacts, and Management Approaches in Rufiji District

Ruth Wairimu John — 2025-10-23

This paper investigated human-wildlife interactions in the Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park) employing mixed research methodologies. Three villages, Mloka, Ngarambe, and Tawi, were purposely chosen within two Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The data collection methods comprised ten key informant interviews, two focus group discussions in each village, a household survey of 120 participants, and a literature review. The enforcement of conservation regulations, infrastructure development, population growth, and wildlife conservation has led to a surge in wildlife in the communities, resulting in significant agricultural damage, injuries, and insecurity. The governmental agencies and investors were the primary decision-makers regarding conflict management measures, whereas the WMA actors held comparatively little influence in the decision-making process. The study identified multiple adverse effects of these interactions, including reduced access to natural resources for communities, absence of compensating mechanisms, and changes in regulations and rules. This paper advocates for more comprehensive conservation strategies that include the requirements of local communities and wildlife within the Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park).