The informal city: assessing its scope, variants and direction in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Urban informality is taking different shapes and dimensions. Theoretically the scope and
dimensions of these remain little understood. This paper examines the different dimensions that
the city is shaping itself informally. A case of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe is proved as a
basis for grounding the theory. Examples cited include housing informality, self-help initiatives by
the youths and street vending by different age and gender groups. It is overall argued that the
informal sector operations are ever shifting, ever-configuring and worth exploring. Such a study
as this one is helpful in finding medium to long-term solutions in urban Africa, as a whole.