Abstract
This study explored how the evolutionary transformation of administrative hierarchical positions in agrarian urban authorities (urban territorial regionalization) has contributed to the growth of unsustainable rural urbanism in urban areas of Tanzania. This shift has further reinforced rural characteristics in urban settings rather than fostering the modernization of towns by urban standards. Empirical evidence for the study was gathered from a range of robust data sources, including maps, satellite imagery, government records, and 384 interviews with respondents across 17 wards and 56 sub-wards. The findings reveal that between 1956 and 2024, the city evolved from 18 rural villages and 33 urban village sub-wards to 74 urban village sub-wards, with informal settlements expanding to 401 km2 (15%). Additionally, 13% of settlements were planned, while 74% had undefined land uses. Furthermore, the study found that the built-up land in Dodoma City increased by 60% from 1998 to 2022 (2,221 hectares), while undeveloped land grew by 15,737 hectares. The study suggests that if Dodoma City continues on its current trajectory until 2030 without adopting green building concepts, new urbanism, and ecological modernization theories and interventions, it will forfeit its potential to become an ecological and livable national capital. Therefore, the integration of Ecological Modernization Theory and concepts is recommended for all major development projects in the city to avoid this outcome.
Key words: Urban territorial, regionalisation, un- ecological rural urbanism.