Users’ Perception on Operation and Performance of Public Transport Systems in African Developing Countries: The Case of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Public transport system has been a means of addressing transportation challenges in urban areas, such as traffic congestion, traffic jam and long travel time in cities worldwide. Transportation in Africa is unique in that it has the least developed public transport systems in the world, while also being one of the fastest urbanizing continents. Bus Rapid Transit being one of the public transport systems was introduced in Africa in 2008 as a means to provide solution on urban transportation challenges. Despite of public transport being the main means of transport in African developing countries, there have been a number of challenges that affects efficiency of performance of the system and makes its users uncomfortable. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the setbacks or challenges associated with operation and performance of the BRT system in the African developing countries and address them. The study employed mixed methods research design that integrates both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis. The study findings reveal that, there is an improvement on the perspectives of the commuters on public transport after introduction of BRT system. However, some challenges such as long waiting time, passengers overcrowding during peak hours, as well as safety and security can slowly change the perspective of the commuters. Therefore, to address these challenges it is recommended to reduce the long waiting time and improve accessibility by introduction of passenger information displays (bus information system) and automated fare collection system;reduce travel time by introduction of bus priority signal;and improve safety and security by introduction of signage and CCTV Camera within the bus and bus stops.

The Status of Canopy Density and above Ground Biomass along the Northern Coastal Forest Zone of Tanzania

Canopy density and forest biomass estimation are critical for understanding of the carbon cycle, climate change and detecting health status of the forest ecosystems. This study was conducted on the coastal forests reserves in Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania. A systematic sampling design was used to establish a total of 110 temporary sample plots in all study sites. The stratification of the forests was adopted to identify closed forest patches with less anthropogenic effects. The study assessed the forest canopy density and above ground biomass with relative carbon stock for closed forest classes. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park in Zanzibar recorded higher average canopy densities of 63% followed by Ngezi (46%), Pugu forests (26%) and Kazimzumbwi (16%). However, Ngezi forest had higher forest biomass than all study sites with the overall mean AGB of 138.5 tAGB/ha equivalent to carbon stock of 67.9 tC/ha. Tree species, Bombax rhodognaphala (Msufi mwitu) and Antiaris toxicaria (Mgulele) recorded the highest biomass of 1099 tABG/ha and 703 tAGB/ha (equivalent to 538 tC/ha and (345 tC/ha)) respectively. The study revealed that about 35% of the total closed forest patches at Pugu FR were covered by lower canopy density which accounted about 490 ha. Kazimzumbwi FR was dominated by lower canopy density which represented about 64% of the total forest cover area (1750 ha).

Repercussions of Improved Municipal Solid Waste Management on Flood Risk Reduction: The Case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Indisputably, flooding is one of the predicaments that have plagued many countries throughout the world. Consequently, Improvement of Municipal Solid Waste Management-(MSWM) has recently become one of the ways that is believed to help in reducing the impact of flooding. Following the fact that Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital, has nearly 5 million inhabitants and several of the wards are in flood-prone areas, the City authorities introduced new models of MSWM by incorporating public-private partnership as a deliberate action envisioned to improve MSWM. Nevertheless, the extent to which the strategy is effective in minimizing flood risks had not been adequately researched, which prompted a need to conduct a study. Specifically, the study sought to: assess the current practice of SWM in the settlement;examine the extent to which flood risk had been reduced given the application of the new models of SWM. This is primarily a case study which used Keko Machungwa in Dar es Salaam as the study area. Different forms of data collections tools were used for instance interviews of households and officials, photographs, spatial data etc. The findings indicated that Jukwaa la Wanawake in Keko Machungwa, a newly emerged community-driven organization was doing a fairly good job in handling SWM. This social entity was capable of collecting 40 tons of solid wastes per week and arranged for transportation. Overall, there was a marked decrease in haphazard dumping within the settlement. Despite the improvement, however, flooding was still persistent and was an alarming challenge. To that effect, this study recommends that improving solid waste collection could help overcome the problem of flooding particularly if integrated with other initiatives which include 1) Investment in robust flood control structures;2) Adherence to Urban planning and disaster management policies which prohibit development in hazardous areas, an instance of which being demolishing the existing building structures located in the water way in Keko Machungwa and;3) Initiate large scale flood risk reduction settlement schemes.

Predicaments of Accessing Rental Housing by People with Physical Disability in Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania

This paper presents study findings regarding private rental housing in urban settlements in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania with specific reference to people with physical disabilities especially the lame and handicapped.The major objective of the study was to procure deep understanding of the access to private rental housing by the lame and handicapped section of the society living in urban areas;and use of the infrastructure services related therewith.Reseach method used is case study where by interview questions were addressed to different actors.Focus group discussion,taking measurements and literature review were also used as data collection tools.The study revealed that neither the current policy nor the legal frameworks address the issue of access to rental housing by the lame and the handicapped in the prevailing private rental housing market in urban areas.Furthermore,body characteristics of the lame and handicapped,affordability of brokers fees and monthly rentals were ranked most highly among the challenges facing the lame and handicapped when searching for rental houses.The challenges pertaining to the use of the commonly shared housing infrastructure services,lack of hygiene on outdoor environment and unfavourable house and toilet/bathroom designs were noted as critical challenges related to the use of the commonly shared housing infrastructure services.The paper recommends that the lame and handicapped need to be considered as a priority and vulnerable group which need special attention in housing policy aspects.A direction of procedures to guide the lame and handicapped house seekers searching for a rental house and institutionalizing a rent regulatory body are considered paramount.

Flooding in Informal Settlements: Potentials and Limits for Household Adaptation in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Rapid urbanization and climate change are compounding the vulnerability of the urban poor to natural hazards, particularly in the global south. Large number of the population in cities of developing countries live in informal settlements characterized with lack of infrastructure facilities and services. Majority of the informal settlements are located in risk areas such as low-lying lands and river banks whereby climatic threats associated with flooding are common. The urban informal settlements are thus disproportionately more vulnerable due to their greater exposure associated with their geophysical location, under-invested infrastructure facilities as well as poor housing quality. While it is widely acknowledged that the need to adapt to climate change related hazards such as flooding is no longer an option, literature suggests that potentials and opportunities for adaptation are unevenly distributed among global regions, communities, sectors, ecological systems as well as across different time periods. This study sought to explore the potentials and limits of households living in flood prone in an informal settlement of Magomeni Suna, Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The study employed a mixed method research design using both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 199 randomly selected respondents, while non participant observation was used to capture information related to household physical adaptation measures. Key informant interviews were used to elicit data from purposively selected representatives of government and other local institutions. Two focus group discussions supplemented the data collected through the other methods. The results show that households employ multiple options for flood adaptation ranging from structural measures aimed at preventing flood water from entering the houses, to action oriented strategies such as relocation. The results also highlight there exist potentials like strong social networks, cohesive communities, and presence of various local institutions willing to support household responses to floods. Limitations to flood adaptation include little support and ad hoc intervention by government authorities, as well as meagre household income. To enhance household adaptation to flood hazards, policy measures towards enhancing social networks and community actions for flood adaptation are necessary. There is also a need to enhance multi institutional involvement as well as promote local livelihoods so as to improve household adaptation to floods.