|
Settlement evolution of most global cities follows certain
settlement patterns and by land’s Model is one model that
explains the general evolution of such settlements. Harare
is no exception in this general pattern of settlement
evolution, yet to a greater extent by land’s Model is rather
too simplistic to fully account for the evolution of this
city. It should be noted that as a Model, it lacks
universality and the historical attributes of Zimbabwe
characterized by a prolonged colonial era between 1890 and
1980 creates a certain uniqueness which forces a need for
manipulation of by land’s model. Although by land’s model is
descriptive, it can be equated to several other models and
theories of city evolution, urbanization and urban growth.
Fourastie’s Schema is a basic socio-economic model which
explains evolution of settlement structures of city regions
from the Pre-industrial to Post-industrial period (Jacobson
et al., 1998). There is a marked increase in literature
concerning urbanization, urban and city studies in recent
times and this is due to the urgent need by Planners and
Public Administrators to maintain a balance between economic
development and modernization on one hand and the reduction
of the social and environmental ill effects of rapid
modernization on the other, more so in developing nations.
(Ibid). By land’s model spans over an extensive historical
time scale and there is no doubt that stages 4 and 5 which
respectively represent the industrial and post-industrial
periods are major global concerns in the modern times. A
universal theory that explains city dynamics and integrates
historical, economic, social, demographic and spatial
aspects is absent. In fact, the technical limitation of
systematized urban studies at macro-level lay mainly in the
heterogeneity and diversity of micro or macro regions in as
far as these components are concerned. In view of these
aspects, By land’s model is tested on Harare and shows
relevance in its much later stages. His model is ample
testimony to the fact that unanimous classification of world
cities is impossible.
Key words:
Settlement evolution, settlement patterns, settlement
expansion, slums, Byland’s model. |
