IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/eurjdr/v33y2021i6d10.1057_s41287-020-00343-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Small Towns and Land Reform in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Scoones

    (University of Sussex)

  • Felix Murimbarimba

    (Independent Consultant)

Abstract

Zimbabwe’s land reform from 2000 radically transformed the agrarian structure, and with this small towns in rural areas. This article explores three such towns—Mvurwi, Chatsworth and Maphisa—examining changes in population, housing, transport and business activity between 2000 and 2020. Case studies highlight the importance of networks and social relationships between rural and urban areas, linked to new patterns of migration and a massive growth in the informal economy. Despite the lack of state investment in basic infrastructure, the economies of these small towns have grown significantly, with a major shift in agrarian relations generating new economic activity and employment. This suggests the potential of a territorial focus for local economic development following land reform, encompassing both urban and rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Scoones & Felix Murimbarimba, 2021. "Small Towns and Land Reform in Zimbabwe," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(6), pages 2040-2062, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00343-3
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00343-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41287-020-00343-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41287-020-00343-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ian Scoones & Blasio Mavedzenge & Felix Murimbarimba, 2019. "Young people and land in Zimbabwe: livelihood challenges after land reform," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(159), pages 117-134, January.
    2. Paul Dorosh & James Thurlow, 2013. "Agriculture and small towns in Africa," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 44(4-5), pages 449-459, July.
    3. K. H. Wekwete, 1990. "Decentralised planning in Zimbabwe: A review of provincial, urban and district development planning in post‐dependence Zimbabwe (post‐1980)," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 2(1), pages 110-139, January.
    4. Luc Christiaensen & Joachim Weerdt & Yasuyuki Todo, 2013. "Urbanization and poverty reduction: the role of rural diversification and secondary towns," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 44(4-5), pages 435-447, July.
    5. Evelyne Lazaro & Jytte Agergaard & Marianne Nylandsted Larsen & Jeremia Makindara & Torben Birch-Thomsen, 2019. "Urbanisation in Rural Regions: The Emergence of Urban Centres in Tanzania," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 72-94, January.
    6. Bryceson, Deborah Fahy, 1996. "Deagrarianization and rural employment in sub-Saharan Africa: A sectoral perspective," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 97-111, January.
    7. Ingelaere, Bert & Christiaensen, Luc & De Weerdt, Joachim & Kanbur, Ravi, 2017. "Why Secondary Towns can be important for poverty reduction," Jobs Group Papers, Notes, and Guides 27976895, The World Bank.
    8. Amin Y Kamete, 2020. "Neither friend nor enemy: Planning, ambivalence and the invalidation of urban informality in Zimbabwe," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(5), pages 927-943, April.
    9. Jytte Agergaard & Cecilia Tacoli & Griet Steel & Sinne Borby Ørtenblad, 2019. "Revisiting Rural–Urban Transformations and Small Town Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 2-11, January.
    10. de Brauw, Alan & Mueller, Valerie & Lee, Hak Lim, 2014. "The Role of Rural–Urban Migration in the Structural Transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 33-42.
    11. Ian Scoones, 2015. "Zimbabwe's land reform: new political dynamics in the countryside," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(144), pages 190-205, June.
    12. J. Hinderink & M.J. Titus, 1988. "Paradigms of Regional Development and the Role of Small Centres," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 19(3), pages 401-423, July.
    13. Griet Steel & Torben Birch-Thomsen & Ine Cottyn & Evelyn A. Lazaro & Hélène Mainet & Fulgence J. Mishili & P. Lindert, 2019. "Multi-activity, Multi-locality and Small-Town Development in Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 12-33, January.
    14. repec:wbk:wbpubs:12481 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Haggblade, Steven & Hazell, Peter B. R. & Reardon, Thomas Anthony (ed.), 2007. "Transforming the rural nonfarm economy: Opportunities and threats in the developing world," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 978-0-8018-8664-5.
    16. Ian Scoones & Blasio Mavedzenge & Felix Murimbarimba & Chrispen Sukume, 2019. "Labour after Land Reform: The Precarious Livelihoods of Former Farmworkers in Zimbabwe," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 50(3), pages 805-835, May.
    17. Deborah Potts, 2000. "Urban Unemployment and Migrants in Africa: Evidence from Harare 1985–1994," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 31(4), pages 879-910, September.
    18. Bruno Losch & Sandrine Fréguin-Gresh & Eric Thomas White, 2012. "Structural Transformation and Rural Change Revisited : Challenges for Late Developing Countries in a Globalizing World [Transformations rurales et développement : Les défis du changement structurel," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 12482, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mavhura, Emmanuel & Raj Aryal, Komal, 2023. "Disaster mortalities and the Sendai Framework Target A: Insights from Zimbabwe," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jytte Agergaard & Susanne Kirkegaard & Torben Birch-Thomsen, 2021. "Between Village and Town: Small-Town Urbanism in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Lara Cockx, 2022. "Moving toward a Better Future? Migration and Children’s Health and Education," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 70(3), pages 1229-1293.
    3. Luxon Mutsakani & Anesu Mironga, 2022. "Performance of Local Governments in Zimbabwe under The COVID 19 Pandemic: A Case of Mvurwi and Harare," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(5), pages 900-906, May.
    4. Ezra Berkhout & Lucie Sovová & Anne Sonneveld, 2023. "The Role of Urban–Rural Connections in Building Food System Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Sophie Bruin & Just Dengerink & Jasper Vliet, 2021. "Urbanisation as driver of food system transformation and opportunities for rural livelihoods," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(4), pages 781-798, August.
    6. Sophie de Bruin & Just Denerink & Pritpal Randhawa & Idrissa Wade & Hester Biemans & Christian Siderius, 2022. "IFAD Research Series 71: Urbanizing food systems: exploring opportunities for rural transformation," IFAD Research Series 320721, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
    7. Wineman, Ayala & Jayne, Thomas S., 2016. "Intra-Rural Migration in Tanzania and Pathways of Welfare Change," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235957, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Joachim Vandercasteelen & Seneshaw Tamru & Bart Minten & Johan Swinnen, 2017. "Secondary towns, agricultural prices, and intensification: Evidence from Ethiopia," LICOS Discussion Papers 39317, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    9. De Weerdt,Joachim & Christiaensen,Luc & Kanbur,Ravi, 2021. "When Distance Drives Destination, Towns Can Stimulate Development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9622, The World Bank.
    10. Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu, 2022. "Urbanisation and rural development in developing countries: A review of pathways and impacts," IDOS Discussion Papers 5/2022, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    11. Wineman, Ayala & Jayne, Thomas S., 2017. "Intra-Rural Migration And Pathways To Greater Well-Being: Evidence From Tanzania," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 261669, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    12. Ashira Menashe-Oren, 2020. "Migrant-based youth bulges and social conflict in urban sub-Saharan Africa," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 42(3), pages 57-98.
    13. Jytte Agergaard & Cecilia Tacoli & Griet Steel & Sinne Borby Ørtenblad, 2019. "Revisiting Rural–Urban Transformations and Small Town Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 2-11, January.
    14. Bezu, Sosina & Holden, Stein, 2014. "Are Rural Youth in Ethiopia Abandoning Agriculture?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 259-272.
    15. Boutin, Delphine, 2016. "Migration Experience and Access to a First Job in Uganda," IZA Discussion Papers 10119, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    16. Barron, Manuel & Torero, Maximo, 2012. "Determinants of Time Allocation to Rural Non-Farm Activities in Central America: The Role of Infrastructure and EducationI," MPRA Paper 61421, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Independent Evaluation Group, 2016. "Growing the Rural Nonfarm Economy to Alleviate Poverty," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 28971, December.
    18. Mohamed El Hedi Arouri & Adel Ben Youssef & Cuong Nguyen-Viet & Agnès Soucat, 2014. "Effects of urbanization on economic growth and human capital formation in Africa," Working Papers halshs-01068271, HAL.
    19. Gibson, John & Jiang, Yi & Susantono, Bambang, 2023. "Revisiting the role of secondary towns: How different types of urban growth relate to poverty in Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    20. Jordan Chamberlin & T. S. Jayne & Nicholas J. Sitko, 2020. "Rural in‐migration and agricultural development: Evidence from Zambia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(4), pages 491-504, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00343-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.