Planning is Local: A Systematic Review of Decentralised Urban Planning Research and Practise in the SADC Region

Mndzebele, Mhlalisi and Gumbo, Trynos (2025) Planning is Local: A Systematic Review of Decentralised Urban Planning Research and Practise in the SADC Region. URBAN INNOVATION: TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO CITIES HAVE GONE BEFORE. Medium sized cities and towns as a major arena of global urbanisation. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2025, 30th Intl. Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 741-746. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Urban planning is vital for enhancing sustainable development and addressing urbanisation challenges. However, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, planning frameworks often overlook local realities, resulting in ineffective outcomes. This study critiques the tension between utopian aspirations in urban planning, marked by idealised, standardized models, and the grounded realities of local settings. Using a systematic review methodology, the research synthesises existing literature on decentralised urban planning practices within the SADC region. The findings reveal increasing recognition of participatory planning and local governance but identify persistent gaps, such as limited incorporation of indigenous knowledge and reliance on generic models unsuited to local settings. The paper highlights the importance of localising planning processes through participatory governance, indigenous knowledge integration, and context-sensitive approaches. The work proposes a SADC Contextual Urban Planning Framework, stressing participatory planning, collaborative governance, capacity building, and sustainability. This framework aims to bridge the gap between utopian ideals and local realities, advocating inclusive, contextually relevant urban planning that aligns with regional socio-economic, cultural, and environmental conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Systematic Review, Indigenous Knowledge, Decentralisation, Localised Urban Planning, SADC Region
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	23 May 2025 09:53
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2025 10:26
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1204

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