Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering

Diploma Course Geomatics Engineering

_________________________________________________________________________________

Diploma Thesis

Enhanced urban planning management system for a better economic diversification in Gaborone (Botswana)

Spatial planning contributions and concept for the informal sector

Florian Hilti

Guidance: Prof. Dr. Willy A. Schmid, IRL

Supervision: Dipl. Ing. Diego Salmerón, IRL

Assistance: Dr. Branko I. Cavric, IMMES

Zurich, 18th February 2005

Summary iii

SUMMARY

Botswana is a democratic, landlocked country, situated in Southern Africa. Since the country’s

independence from Great Britain in 1966, Botswana’s economy has experienced a tremendous growth

due to the discovery of diamonds and other minerals. Today, the country depends greatly on mining.

The consequence is a vulnerability of its economy to external factors such as a downturn in global

diamond prices or the strong influence of its neighbour, South Africa, which can hardly be influenced

by Botswana.

Gaborone is the capital of Botswana and due to a high rural-urban migration one of the fastest

growing cities in the world. Together with the one-storey design of buildings which is predominant in

the capital, this leads to high land consumption, an enormous urban sprawl, an increased segregation

of social groups and the intensification of other social problems such as poverty and unemployment.

These social grievances force many people to an engagement in the informal sector which is more or

less tolerated by the authorities. The recent mushrooming of street vending activities in Gaborone

causes urgent spatial problems such as traffic congestion and the danger of a visual damage of the

cityscape.

The study analyses the situation of spatial and economic planning with regard to the economic

situation of the country and possibilities of spatial planning contributions in Gaborone. A detailed

analysis emphasises on the examination of the informal sector in the capital. Hence, goals for the

achievement of a strong, sustainable and diversified economy are formulated. Finally, the study

proposes spatial and economic measures as well as a spatial concept for the informal sector.

The study recognises the potential for economic diversification mainly in the service sectors, but also

in the size of enterprises and the related support of small, medium and micro enterprises, in the

privatisation of current government responsibilities and within particular economic sectors. Spatial

planning can make substantial contributions to a strong and sustainable economy in Gaborone as well

as in Botswana in the areas of urban development, provision of land and infrastructure, cooperative

planning, efficiency in planning procedures and location management.

The study of alternatives for a solution of the spatial informal sector problems represents a cardinal

part of this thesis. The result is a concept for the informal sector based on the best alternative. The

concept foresees the introduction of open markets and the zoning of corner shops in residential areas.

The markets shall be equipped with stands and sanitary facilities and are intended to contribute to an

ordered structure and development of street sale. The construction of corner shops aims at a reduced

demand for informal trade in residential areas. A positive side effect is the expected traffic reduction,

caused by a decrease of trips to the peripheral shopping malls. The study of alternatives indicates that

the best option for the economic and spatial development consists in the formalisation of the informal

sector. Therefore, an important element of the concept represents the formalisation of informal

activities in terms of land use.

Zusammenfassung (German) v

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG (GERMAN)

Botswana ist ein im südlichen Afrika liegendes, demokratisches Binnenland. Seit der Unabhängigkeit

des Landes von der britischen Herrschaft im Jahre 1966 erlebte Botswana’s Wirtschaft vor allem dank

der Entdeckung von Diamanten und weiteren Bodenschätzen ein enormes Wachstum und ist heute

stark vom Bergbausektor abhängig. Damit verbunden ist eine Anfälligkeit der Wirtschaft, die vor allem

durch externe, von Botswana nicht zu beeinflussende Faktoren verursacht ist. Dazu gehören

beispielsweise ein Rückgang im globalen Diamantenpreis oder der dominante Einfluss des

Nachbarlandes Südafrika.

Gaborone ist die Hauptstadt Botswanas und bedingt durch eine immense Landflucht eine der am

schnellsten wachsenden Städte der Welt. Zusammen mit der in der Stadt vorherrschenden,

einstöckigen und dadurch Flächen verbrauchenden Bauweise führt dies zu einer starken Zersiedlung

des urbanen Raumes, zu einer verstärkten Segregation sozialer Schichten und zur Intensivierung

weiterer sozialer Probleme wie Armut und Arbeitslosigkeit. Die sozialen Missstände bewegen viele

Menschen zu einem Engagement im informellen Sektor, welcher von der Regierung mehr oder

weniger geduldet wird. Der rasch wachsende Strassenhandel bringt zudem dringende räumliche

Probleme wie Verkehrsbehinderungen und eine Beeinträchtigung des Stadtbildes mit sich.

Die Studie analysiert die Situation der Raum- und Wirtschaftsplanung im Hinblick auf die

wirtschaftliche Situation des Landes und auf Möglichkeiten raumplanerischer Beiträge in Gaborone. In

einer vertieften Studie wird zudem der informelle Sektor in der Hauptstadt untersucht. Daraus werden

Ziele zur Erreichung einer starken und nachhaltigen Entwicklung und zur Diversifizierung der

nationalen Wirtschaft formuliert. Schliesslich werden wirtschaftliche und raumplanerische

Massnahmen sowie ein räumliches Konzept für den informellen Sektor vorgeschlagen.

Die Studie erkennt das Potential wirtschaftlicher Diversifizierung vor allem in den

Dienstleistungssektoren. Weitere Möglichkeiten liegen in der Diversifizierung von Betriebsgrössen und

der damit verbundenen Unterstützung von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen, in der Privatisierung

von heutigen Regierungsaufgaben und in der Diversifizierung innerhalb bestimmter

Wirtschaftssektoren. Die Raumplanung kann vor allem in den Bereichen urbane Entwicklung,

Bereitstellung von Land und Infrastruktur, kooperative Planung, Effizienz in Planungsverfahren sowie

Standortplanung und Standortmanagement wesentliche Beiträge zu einer Stärkung und besseren

Nachhaltigkeit in der Wirtschaft der Hauptstadt wie auch des Landes beitragen.

Ein zentrales Element dieser Arbeit besteht im Variantenstudium zur Lösung der räumlichen Probleme

des informellen Sektors. Die daraus resultierende Bestvariante dient der Ausarbeitung eines

räumlichen Konzeptes, welches die Einführung von Marktplätzen und die Ausscheidung von Zonen für

Quartierläden vorsieht. Die Marktplätze sollen dabei mit Ständen und sanitären Anlagen ausgestattet

sein und zu einer geordneten Struktur und Entwicklung des Strassenhandels beitragen. Die

Quartierläden sollen vor allem der Unterbindung informeller Aktivitäten in den Wohnzonen dienen. Ein

positiver Nebeneffekt ist auch die zu erwartende Reduktion des Verkehrsaufkommens, welche in einer

Abnahme von Fahrten zu den in der Peripherie gelegenen Shopping-Komplexen begründet ist. Das

Variantenstudium zeigt ausserdem, dass der Wirtschaft und der Raumplanung mit der Formalisierung

des informellen Sektors am besten gedient wäre. Aus diesem Grund ist ein wichtiges Element des

Konzepts die weitgehende Formalisierung des besagten Sektors in Bezug auf die Landnutzung.

Table of contents ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD....................................................................................................................................... i

SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................................iii

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG (GERMAN) ................................................................................................... v

ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................................vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................... ix

LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................................................................................xiii

LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................. xv

LIST OF APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………….....xvii

1 SCOPE....................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 INTENTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 TASK ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 SYSTEM FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 3 1.5 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 3

1.5.1 RELATION-MATRIX.................................................................................................... 4 1.5.2 SYSTEM OF GOALS .................................................................................................. 4

2 GENERAL ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN BOTSWANA AND GABORONE .... 7

2.1 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE............................................................................................. 7 2.2 HISTORY............................................................................................................................ 8 2.3 ECONOMY ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 SOCIETY............................................................................................................................ 9

2.4.1 POPULATION............................................................................................................. 9 2.4.2 EDUCATION SYSTEM.............................................................................................. 10 2.4.3 HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS............................................................................................ 10 2.4.4 POVERTY................................................................................................................. 11

2.5 POLITICAL SYSTEM ........................................................................................................ 12 2.5.1 CONSTITUTION AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ................................................... 12 2.5.2 LOCAL LEVEL INSTITUTIONS ................................................................................. 13

2.6 LAND USE........................................................................................................................ 13 2.7 LAND TENURE................................................................................................................. 14

3 EXISTING PLANNING AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................. 15

3.1 PLANNING PRACTISE IN BOTSWANA ............................................................................ 15 3.1.1 SPATIAL PLANNING ................................................................................................ 15 3.1.2 ECONOMIC PLANNING............................................................................................ 15

3.2 PLANNING INSTRUMENTS AND STRATEGIES............................................................... 16 3.2.1 VISION 2016............................................................................................................. 16 3.2.2 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 9........................................................................ 16 3.2.3 GREATER GABORONE STRUCTURE PLAN (1994 – 2014)..................................... 17 3.2.4 GABORONE CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (1997 – 2021)......................................... 17 3.2.5 GABORONE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2 (2003 – 2009).................................. 18 3.2.6 GABORONE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT MASTER PLAN ............................... 18 3.2.7 SOUTH EAST DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 5 (1997-2003) .............................. 18

3.3 AUTHORITIES AND PROGRAMMES ............................................................................... 19 3.3.1 GOVERNMENT......................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, PARASTATALS AND NGOs.......................... 21 3.3.3 NATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND PROGRAMMES ..................................................... 25 3.3.4 ACTS AND POLICIES............................................................................................... 27

x Table of contents

4 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................... 29

4.1 BOTSWANA’S FORMAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE........................................................ 29 4.1.1 AGRICULTURE ........................................................................................................ 30 4.1.2 MINING..................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.3 GOVERNMENT ........................................................................................................ 32 4.1.4 MANUFACTURING................................................................................................... 32 4.1.5 CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................................................... 33 4.1.6 FINANCIAL SERVICES............................................................................................. 33 4.1.7 TRADE...................................................................................................................... 33 4.1.8 TOURISM ................................................................................................................. 34 4.1.9 OTHER FORMAL SECTORS.................................................................................... 35

4.2 ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN BOTSWANA .............................................................. 36 4.2.1 ECONOMIC LINKAGES............................................................................................ 36 4.2.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION ......................................... 37 4.2.3 PRIVATISATION....................................................................................................... 38 4.2.4 SMME....................................................................................................................... 38

4.3 THE REGIONAL CONTEXT: SOUTHERN AFRICA’S ECONOMY ..................................... 40 4.3.1 SADC PERFORMANCE............................................................................................ 40 4.3.2 BOTSWANA AND THE SADC................................................................................... 41 4.3.3 THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET.............................................................................. 41

4.4 FACTORS AFFECTING THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE............................................. 42 4.4.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ................................................................................ 42 4.4.2 MARKET ASPECTS.................................................................................................. 43

4.5 THE INFORMAL SECTOR ................................................................................................ 45 4.5.1 DEFINITION OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR.............................................................. 45 4.5.2 HISTORICAL REVIEW.............................................................................................. 46 4.5.3 THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES....................................... 46 4.5.4 THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN BOTSWANA AND GABORONE ................................. 47

5 SPATIAL ASPECTS ................................................................................................................ 49

5.1 WHAT CAN SPATIAL PLANNING CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER ECONOMIC

DIVERSIFICATION? .................................................................................................................... 49 5.1.1 PROVISION OF LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE..................................................... 49 5.1.2 IMPROVEMENT OF PLANNING PROCEDURES...................................................... 50 5.1.3 URBAN DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................................... 51 5.1.4 LOCATION MANAGEMENT...................................................................................... 52

5.2 SPATIAL RELATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 54 5.2.1 RELATION-MATRIX.................................................................................................. 54 5.2.2 SECTORAL SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................. 54

5.3 SPATIAL ASPECTS OF INFORMAL TRADE..................................................................... 56 5.3.1 STREET VENDING LOCATIONS IN GABORONE .................................................... 56 5.3.2 SPATIAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY STREET VENDORS......................................... 58 5.3.3 SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 58 5.3.4 RECENT EFFORTS OF SPATIAL PLANNERS IN GABORONE................................ 59

6 GOALS .................................................................................................................................... 61

6.1 THE PURPOSE OF GOAL FORMULATION ...................................................................... 61 6.2 THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOALS..................................................................................... 61 6.3 PRINCIPLE....................................................................................................................... 62 6.4 GOALS............................................................................................................................. 62

6.4.1 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.......................................................................................... 62 6.4.2 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.................................................................................... 63 6.4.3 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT...................................................................................... 63

Table of contents xi

7 STUDY OF ALTERNATIVES FOR THE INFORMAL SECTOR................................................. 65

7.1 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA ................................................................................................ 65 7.2 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES............................................................................... 65 7.3 ALTERNATIVE A: NO CHANGE OF LAND USE ................................................................ 66 7.4 ALTERNATIVE B: MARKET AREAS AND CORNER SHOPS............................................. 67

7.4.1 MARKETS AND RESTRICTED AREAS..................................................................... 67 7.4.2 CORNER SHOPS ..................................................................................................... 67

7.5 ALTERNATIVE C: MIXED LAND USE ............................................................................... 68 7.5.1 MIXED LAND USE ZONES ....................................................................................... 68

7.6 VISUALISATION............................................................................................................... 70 7.7 FINANCIAL ASPECTS...................................................................................................... 70 7.8 ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES................................................................................. 71

7.8.1 WEIGHTING AND SPATIAL PLANNING FEASIBILITY.............................................. 71 7.8.2 ASSESSMENT.......................................................................................................... 71 7.8.3 RESULT.................................................................................................................... 71 7.8.4 DECISION................................................................................................................. 72

8 PROPOSED STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION .......................................... 73

8.1 ECONOMIC STRATEGIES ............................................................................................... 73 8.1.1 SECTORAL POTENTIALS FOR DIVERSIFIATION ................................................... 73 8.1.2 SECTOR SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................. 75 8.1.3 OTHER FORMS OF ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION............................................... 76 8.1.4 FURTHER ECONOMIC STRATEGIES...................................................................... 77

8.2 STRATEGIES FOR SPATIAL PLANNING ......................................................................... 79 8.2.1 FUTURE URBAN DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................... 79 8.2.2 PLANNING PROCEDURES ...................................................................................... 80 8.2.3 LOCATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM....................................................................... 82

8.3 CONCEPT FOR THE INFORMAL SECTOR ...................................................................... 83 8.3.1 GENERAL CONCEPT............................................................................................... 83 8.3.2 SPATIAL MEASURES............................................................................................... 84 8.3.3 ORGANISATIONAL MEASURES .............................................................................. 87

9 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 91

9.1 ECONOMIC PROSPECTS................................................................................................ 91 9.2 SPATIAL PLANNING CONTRIBUTIONS........................................................................... 92 9.3 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR........................................................ 93

10 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 95

10.1 LEGISLATION ................................................................................................................ 100 10.2 LIST OF INTERVIEWS.................................................................................................... 101

APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................... 103