Slum economies: economic activity hubs in informal settlements: A case study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Doyle, Regan 2017. Slum economies: economic activity hubs in informal settlements: A case study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis seeks to provide a better understanding of the informal economy within informal settlements, particularly the importance of agglomeration economies or economic activity hubs (EAHs), within the context of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The research seeks to understand the spatial and economic networks of EAHs as their agglomeration processes, socio-cultural dimensions, and other factors or characteristics to determine potential drivers and operations of these economies. This research also examines the potential of GIS and spatial analysis as a tool in researching the informal economy in developing cities. This investigation was conducted through a case study of EAHs in two informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Keko and Manzese, using a mixed-methods approach. In many developing cities, urbanisation and growth coincide with a large informal economy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite research suggesting that the informal economy provides an important source of economic opportunity and development, many policies and planning practices still maintain a largely negative perception, resulting in marginalisation of the working poor. Most existing research on the IE has focused on street traders; however there is little research regarding economic activity occurring within low-income settlements. As the contexts in these spaces is very different, there is a gap in existing research regarding the role of clustering economies within the settlements as well as the wider urban economy. The research reveals that EAHs play an important role in not only informal settlements, but also the wider urban economy and operate with a high degree of specialisation and complex agglomeration processes. These economies are largely misunderstood or simply overlooked by the regulatory environment. A better understanding of the informal economy and the potential of EAHs may enable policy makers and urban planners to use the concept of informality to alleviate the incidence of working poverty in developing cities.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Informal economy Slum Informal settlement GIS Tanzania Agglomeration Network Urbanisation Development research Social capital
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 May 2018
Last Modified:	15 Jun 2021 13:34
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/111113

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