Communication Channels and Stakeholders Participation Practices in Master Planning and Implementation Processes in Tanzania

Abstract

Communication is one of the significant pillars of effective stakeholder participation. However, there is a limited study of how planning systems communicate with stakeholders in the master planning and implementation processes in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper assesses how the City Council of Dodoma (CCD) communicated with stakeholders, particularly the local community during the preparation of the 2019 Dodoma master plan. A mixed research approach and a case study strategy were deployed. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured and structured questionnaires which were then analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed a severe communication breakdown as 97 percent and 100 percent of the interviewed households at Madukani and Msalato wards respectively were not informed about the 2019 Dodoma master plan. Shockingly, 96 percent and 100 percent of households at Madukani and Msalato wards respectively did not attend public hearings in 2019, coupled with low understanding of the master plan. This signifies that open communication and local community inclusion in decision-making were marginally cherished in the master planning and implementation processes. The practice by the CCD technocrats counters the Communicative and Collaborative Planning Theory. Therefore, the study findings call for effective communication with the local community using formal and informal communication channels.