The vibrancy of human settlements in kariakoo urban spaces - dar es salaam Tanzania

This study explored vibrancies of urban human settlements to understand how urban spaces functions within the city. It aimed at examining underlying factors which contribute in making urban human settlements vibrant or not. The research adopted qualitative research methodology to obtain findings through a case study research strategy. Kariakoo urban district was selected to be a case study area because of its strong space vibrancy characteristics and complexity. The study was conducted during the day and night times with clear observation of space uses and functions in relation to people and performed activities in order to establish the magnitude of human settlements vibrancies at different locations and times. Data collection tools included multiple sources, namely interviews, questionnaires, observation and random discussion with key informants to collect the required data and information. The study has found out that human settlement vibrancy is generated from planned land uses, commercial activities, and gentrification effects. Specifically, existence of non-vibrant human settlement is attributed by the dominance of residential zones and local by-laws which terminates informal business undertakings. Urban voids exist due to land underdevelopment and negligence of development controls by land owners but they can be planned to improve built environment. Temporariness and dynamics of human settlement activities was observed at both vibrant and non-vibrant urban spaces which creates transitional zones at certain hours of a day.