https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1887 2026-04-11T05:14:49Z 2026-04-11T05:14:49Z Maswoswere, Pure https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4935 2025-11-04T09:49:28Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An Evaluation of The Sustainability of Urban Development for Disaster Prevention: A Case of Gokwe Town, Zimbabwe Authors: Maswoswere, Pure Abstract: Throughout the world, urban areas are becoming increasingly exposed to both natural and human-induced disasters, yet their causes, impacts and control have not been sufficiently evaluated. This thesis on urban development sustainability for disaster prevention is based on a case study with a population of 8118 from which a sample size of 229 was drawn using Cochran’s sample size determination formula and the 30% rule. A mixed methods analytic case study was conducted to evaluate the sustainability of Gokwe Town. The study used questionnaires, semi structured interviews, desktop sources and focus group discussions. Modified Fuzzy Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy process were applied in the design of research tools and data analysis. Site suitability as an indicator of sustainability was investigated through use of Saaty and Vergas’ (2001) AHP, soil’s chemical, physical and geotechnical properties as well as through remote sensing and GIS. Legal conformance and disaster risk reduction as stimulators of sustainable urban development were investigated using questionnaires and interviews. Statistical tests of significance were conducted. T-tests results reveal that there is a significant (p < 0,16375) relationship between gully depth and soil clay content at 5% significance level, indicating that low clay content is a major cause of gully erosion in Gokwe town. Challenges and potentialities to Gokwe Town disaster risks were assessed and analysed using Urban Disaster Risk Reduction Index based on the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goal 11’s (DG11’s) 10 targets. Focus group discussions highlighted that sustainable town planning is the one that brings about continuous improvement in the standard of living of both the rich and poor people such that for Gokwe Town to achieve sustainable status there must be a clear improvement in living conditions for all its residents. Current Gokwe Town developments were described as unsustainable, just increasing houses and population without a corresponding increase in industries and employment. However, all focus groups unanimously concurred that Gokwe Town can achieve Sustainable Development (SD) by adopting an all-inclusive development approach. Quantitative data was statistically analysed and presented using tables, graphs and percentages. Site suitability evaluation showed that the current Central Business District (CBD) site is not suitable as it scored mean score of 2.2 (strongly unsustainable). Four (4) out of 7 services scored below 5 (sustainability threshold). Road quality and water supply mean scores were 1.6 and 2.4 respectively showing that they are the greatest hindrances to sustainable development of Gokwe Town. Town planning and development legal frameworks scored 4.8, which is below sustainability threshold used in this study. Urban development legal framework analysis established Gokwe Town community regulatory awareness as 62.32%, 66.12% and 75, 27% for the low, medium and high-density residential areas respectively. However, levels of compliance were highest in low-density residential areas. The thesis concluded that urban disasters are negative consequences of poorly planned and weakly monitored human interactions with the natural or built environment. One of the two key recommendations made was that, to achieve sustainable development, there is need to infuse suitability analysis and policy framework into urban planning approaches to enable proactive disaster prevention. The other one was that, urban planners and developers must be equipped with knowledge and skills on technological-based site suitability analysis, disaster prevention measures and legal framework interpretation. In short, sustainable urban development cannot be divorced from effective planning, suitability analysis, legal compliance and disaster risk management.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Maswoswere, Pure Marambanyika, Thomas https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/1888 2022-06-27T13:49:07Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An analysis of the impacts of human activities and management strategies on wetland processes in southern Zimbabwe  Authors: Marambanyika, Thomas Abstract: Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, as they provide benefits to humans and the environment. Despite their value, wetlands are being degraded at an unprecedented rate. Whilst explanations have been sought from natural and human perspectives, the debate surrounding wetland loss continues, and wetland loss remains a problem, especially in developing countries. A number of strategies on wetland use and management have been developed and implemented at various scales in response to wetland degradation and loss, although spatio-temporal variations were noted, as were varying levels of success, shown to be influenced by differences in existing land use, institutional structures and wetland hydrogeomorphic types. Whilst several studies focusing on specific facets of wetlands have been conducted in Zimbabwe, so far none have been carried out to document the impacts of various land uses and management strategies on wetland conditions. The present study therefore assessed the spatio-temporal impacts of human activities and related management strategies on wetland processes in six wetlands located in three rural districts in the southern part of Zimbabwe so as to address this knowledge deficit. To achieve the objectives of the study, changing land use patterns in wetlands were assessed for the period between 1985 and 2013 from aerial photographs and Rapid Eye images; and the benefits derived by surrounding communities determined, complemented by information obtained from household surveys with 123 respondents. Results show that there was no major change in land use as cultivation dominated throughout and increased by only 7.7% between 1985 and 2013. This result prompted the need to assess the impact of cultivation on wetland biophysical conditions (hydrology, geomorphology and vegetation) using the WET-Health framework. Results show that not all, but some cultivation methods negatively affected the present hydrological state of the wetlands. It was observed that broad ridges and broad furrows and concrete canals were largely responsible for drying. Vegetation structure and composition has been seriously modified by cultivation as evident in invasion by non-wetland species. In order to understand how management strategies influenced use and conservation of wetlands, the study used stakeholders’ perceptions to investigate the effectiveness of existing institutional arrangements in regulating wetland protection. The results show that the degree of wetland protection depends on the number, frequency and relations of institutions operating at each site. Although government departments, traditional leaders, wetland committees and non-governmental organizations participated, generally there was no uniformity in the existing institutional structures at each wetland. Conflicts and discord were sometimes apparent between institutions due to divergent institutional mandates torn between socio-economic and environmental considerations. Traditional leaders and wetland committees were present at each site and where they were effectively involved, wetlands were better conserved as shown by their ecological conditions with little evidence of soil erosion and hydrological alterations as in the case of Chebvuterambatemwa, Dufuya, Madigane and Tugwi. The study further investigated the gap between policy and practice, especially in light of the new legal dispensation which encourage wise use of wetlands, dating back to 2003. The results show that most of the people (61.8%) were not aware of national wetland law; hence there was a disjuncture between legal provisions and practical implementation resulting in little impact on wetland conservation. Poor implementation of national wetland law may be ascribed to a number of socio-economic factors and institutional challenges. The results of the study further showed that in better conserved wetlands, such as Chebvuterambatemwa, Dufuya and Tugwi, effective soil and water conservation measures were in place and their implementation was effectively monitored by local institutions. Food security of most households adjacent to these wetlands was stable. Overall, the findings of this study highlighted the importance of understanding the effects of cultivation and related institutional arrangements and policy frameworks on wetland conservation. The study demonstrates the need to adopt a holistic, people-centered approach in wetland management that also considers the environment. The results further provide insights for Zimbabwe to shift towards an integrated approach, to facilitate effective and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It is in this context that this research provides baseline information that can be utilized in the formulation of wetland resources management frameworks based on an understanding of the interaction between anthropogenic, socioeconomic and ecological processes

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Marambanyika, Thomas