The Effects of urban developments on wetlands in Harare

Author

Nepasi, Mavis

Title

The Effects of urban developments on wetlands in Harare

Abstract

This study investigates the threats and challenges to wetland conservation and management in Harare, Zimbabwe, with a focus on three suburbs representing different residential densities: Budiriro (high -density), Monavale (medium- density) and Borrowdale (low-density). The research had three main objectives: (1) to identify the predominant issues to urban wetlands in selected suburbs; (2) to evaluate the challenges of wetland management including how-sociodemographic factors influence awareness and perceptions; and (3) to analyze the temporal and spatial changes in wetland size between 2013 and 2023 employing Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing.
The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative approaches including, household surveys, key informant interviews and satellite image analysis. Findings revealed that the most significant threats to wetlands include residential expansion, urban agriculture, land use competition and poor enforcement of environmental regulations. Population variables such as education level, age, and gender were found to influence awareness of wetland conservation laws, with respondents from low-density suburb (Borrowdale) showing higher level of awareness compared to those in Budiriro (high-density suburb) and Monavale (medium density suburbs).
GIS analysis indicated a significant decline in wetland size across all three suburbs: Budiriro lost approximately 70% of its wetland area, Borrowdale 54.1% and Monavale 21.5 % between 2013 and 2023. The results suggest that urbanization pressures, weak institutional coordination and limited public awareness are key drivers of wetland degradation in Harare. The study concludes by recommending stronger policy enforcement, increased environmental education and integrated urban planning that incorporates wetland conservation. Lessons can be drawn from countries such as Kenya and South Africa, where multi-stakeholder approaches have yielded more sustainable wetland management outcomes.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Wetland

Challenges

Supervisor

Masona, Chipo