Colonial heritage and urban development: a critical study of Zimbabwe’s local government system

The study engaged on the question of, how have colonial legacies shaped the contemporary local government system in Zimbabwe, and what implications do these historical influences have for urban development and governance in the country today? This question allowed for an exploration of the ways in which colonial policies and practices have influenced current governance structures, urban planning, and development challenges, providing a critical framework for analyzing the ongoing impacts of colonialism in Zimbabwe. The study was informed by qualitative and archival research methodologies. It also drew from post-colonial, dependency, inclusive urbanism, sustainable urban development, urban political ecology, globalization and urbanization, informal economy and urbanization livelihoods and decolonization of urban planning theories. The study found that the colonial past of Zimbabwe has indeed left a complex tapestry of enduring challenges, including spatial segregation, economic inequalities, and tensions within local urban governance systems.