Is it a local community-centered plan? Community participation in the Dodoma master planning and implementation processes

The participatory planning approach is centered on inclusive idea generation, consensus building, and consideration of socioeconomic and cultural aspects. Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding whether the 2019 Dodoma master plan reflects the needs and interests of the local communities. A mixed research approach and case study strategy were deployed. Interviews, documents reviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were the main data collection methods. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse qualitative and quantitative data respectively. The findings indicate that the 2019 Dodoma master plan marginally reflects the needs and interests of the Madukani and Msalato wards communities. This was evidenced by a lack of harmonisation of needs and interests between the City Council of Dodoma (CCD) and the local communities. The local communities prioritised individual interests (tenure security) while CCD focused on the complex public interests (sustainable city). Regardless of the importance of safeguarding public interests, the process was subjected to ineffective communication, negotiation, orientation of earmarked land uses, commitment, and inclusive decision-making. The participation practice signifies either non-participation (manipulation/therapy) or tokenism (informing/consultation) of Sherry Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation. This was proved by the power imbalance of the technocrats in accommodating the suggestions of the local communities. Again, denial of the local communities’ suggestions and ineffective information dissemination counter with the Communicative and Collaborative Planning Theory. The findings, therefore; call for inclusive decision-making to ensure the 2019 Dodoma master plan is effectively understood, owned, and observed by the local communities.