Establishing indicators for urban poverty-environment interaction in Tanzania: The case of Bonde la Mpunga, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam

This report is a case study of Bonde la Mpunga, a wetland in Dar es Salaam which was formerly used for rice growing. It is an area abundant in natural resources with fishing being the main economic activity. It is a sprawling unplanned place which continues to attract people because of cheap accommodation and its proximity to Dares Salaam.

The authors observe that demand for shelter exacerbates the proliferation of uncontrolled and unguided development reflected in house congestion. There is poor service delivery in terms of water supply, sanitation and waste disposal. There is a limited sense of responsibility from community members because the majority are tenants. The area is characterised by land grabbing and lack of security of tenure.

Despite poor environmental conditions in Bonde la Mpunga, at both community and household levels, residents have developed strategies to cope and earn a living. One strategy is to build cheap houses due to lack of security of tenure and land grabbing. Insecurity of tenure discourages landlords from investing to improve their land and services. This is dangerous because it exposes the residents to life threatening environmental shocks like floods. Another survival strategy residents employ is engaging in petty trade to make a living.

The following recommendations are made:

• urban poverty environmental monitoring indicators should be included in the Poverty Reduction Strategic Papers to address the plight of living in informal settlements
• local governments should formulate rules and regulations about unplanned urban areas and should motivate landlords to invest in better housing structures by giving them security of tenure
• the areas for policy ‘leverage’ are to be found in legal, institutional and administrative structures and processes, with emphasis placed on land issues and effective housing policies.

The study concludes by suggesting areas of further research. It highlights the importance of finding out the capacity of men and women in vulnerable groups to cope with and respond to the stresses of poverty and environmental degradation. It also suggests the examination of the links between women’s positions with respect to poverty, environmental entitlements and environmental change by targeting female environmental managers.