DODOMA: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed regional and local government authorities across the country to immediately stop the arbitrary conversion of public open spaces into commercial, residential or other developments.

He warned that the practice threatens orderly urban growth, environmental sustainability and community well-being.

The Premier issued the directive in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to concerns raised by Mr Ibrahim Shayo (Moshi UrbanCCM), who questioned the government’s commitment to protecting public open spaces that were originally reserved for community use.

Dr Nchemba acknowledged that the conversion of open spaces has become increasingly common in rapidly expanding towns and cities, often in violation of approved land-use plans.

“It is true that these challenges exist. In many urban areas, there has been a tendency to change the use of land that was originally designated as open space and assign it to other activities that were never intended in the original plans,” he said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that open spaces serve a far greater purpose than merely providing areas for recreation and sports.

“Many people assume that open spaces are simply playgrounds or sports grounds, but that is not the case. These areas are strategically reserved for environmental, ecological and community purposes,” he explained.

He noted that some open spaces were deliberately preserved to protect natural water channels, support drainage systems and maintain ecological balance in urban areas.

According to him, failure to respect such planning considerations has contributed to flooding in some towns and cities.

“There are areas that were intentionally left open because they serve as water passages. When people build in such areas, the natural flow of water is obstructed, leading to floods in places that were never prone to flooding before,” he said.

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Mr Nchemba further observed that the loss of open spaces has created difficulties for communities seeking venues for social, religious and public gatherings.

“Today, even finding a place for a public meeting, a religious crusade or other community activities has become difficult in many towns because open spaces have been taken over by buildings,” he said.

The Prime Minister warned that unauthorised developments on public land have also become a source of disputes and conflicts among community members.

He stressed that existing laws and regulations clearly define procedures for land-use planning and prohibit arbitrary changes without following established legal processes.

“Local government authorities are not permitted to change the use of land simply because there is demand for development. There are procedures that must be followed and every decision must comply with approved land-use plans,” he said.

Mr Nchemba directed authorities to investigate the concerns raised regarding Uhuru Park and ensure that any developments taking place comply with legal requirements and planning regulations.

He also called on all regional administrations, municipal councils and local government authorities to halt any ongoing efforts aimed at converting open spaces into uses that were not originally approved.

“I would like to issue a statement to all regions and local government authorities to immediately stop changing the use of open spaces and allocating them for purposes that were never planned from the beginning,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that while open spaces can be improved and developed to better serve communities, such developments must remain consistent with their original purpose and planning objectives.

He praised previous generations of planners and leaders for demonstrating foresight by reserving land for future public needs despite development pressures.

“Our predecessors exercised wisdom and resisted greed by preserving these areas for future generations. We should not now reverse those decisions and allocate every available space for other activities simply because there is demand,” he said.

Describing the trend as harmful to sustainable urban development, Mr Nchemba directed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, together with the President’s Office– Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), to closely monitor the situation and ensure compliance with planning laws.

He said stronger oversight would help prevent future conflicts and safeguard public interests as Tanzania’s urban centres continue to expand.

“The preservation of open spaces is essential for orderly urban growth, environmental protection and community well-being. We must ensure that these areas remain protected for the benefit of present and future generations,” the Prime Minister said.

In his question, Mr Shayo expressed concern over what he described as increasing encroachment on public spaces by some leaders and officials who authorise developments that contradict approved landuse plans.

He cited the case of Uhuru Park in Moshi Municipality, an open public area that has existed for more than five decades, where temporary business structures are reportedly being erected despite public opposition.

“Open spaces were set aside for the benefit of the community, but there are some leaders who are not faithful to that vision. Instead of protecting these areas, they are changing their intended use and allowing construction that undermines their purpose,” Mr Shayo told Parliament.

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