Abstract

This paper seeks to unravel the spatial planning system in Zimbabwe in cognisance of its potential role to addressing some of the skewed phenomena of planning in the country. Some of the contemporary planning challenges are rooted in the colonial footprints, emanating from the Rhodesian segregationist policies and repressive legislation that have continued to exist into the ‘free Zimbabwean’ era despite having outlived their relevance and usefulness, to modern day Zimbabwe. The situation is not peculiar to Zimbabwe alone but it cuts through many African counties.

Key words: Spatiality, planning, legislation, colonialism, post-coloniality, poverty, policy