URBAN INFORMALITY AND PLANNING: COUNTING THE COST OF NON-PARTICIPATORY PLANNING IN MASVINGO CITY, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Urban informality has been marginalised in development of cities of global South and this has been responsible for
the wide spread environmental problems in areas occupied by the urban informality. People in the informal sector
in Masvingo city are suffering a lot of exclusion which is environmental injustice and disenfranchisement of their
right to the city. The research examined the environmental problems associated with exclusion of urban informality
in the city of Masvingo. The research employed a mixed methods approach to the inquiry where both quantitative
and qualitative methods were employed. The research found out that the informal sector in the city of Masvingo is
excluded in the development of the city hence spaces occupied by them are not included in the city’s environmental
planning and management systems. They are not provided with waste collection infrastructure and services. This
exclusion is a denial of urban informality’s right to the city. The research recommends activities of the informal sector
are included in development of the city for sustainability and inclusivity of the city.