The Evolution, Demise, and Renaissance of Green Spaces in Dar es Salaam: An Explorative Discourse on Influential Factors

Abstract

Urban green spaces in African cities are under unprecedented pressure from rapid urbanisation, yet the factors influencing their utilisation remain poorly understood. This paper examines the determinants of green space use in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, one of Africa's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. This study employs a mixed-methods approach across 42 green spaces in three municipalities, drawing on Attention Restoration Theory, Place Attachment Theory, and the Ecological Model of Physical Activity. Data collection combined systematic observation of physical conditions and user activities with structured interviews of diverse stakeholders. Findings reveal that perceived safety is the most influential factor affecting visitation and duration of stay, with safety ratings varying dramatically between affluent areas (71.4% positive) and low-income neighbourhoods (16% positive). Infrastructure quality—particularly surface treatment and facility provision—strongly correlates with user diversity and activity range. While most spaces remain physically accessible, accessibility alone does not guarantee utilisation; usability depends on infrastructure quality, maintenance, and social meaning. The study reveals significant socio-spatial inequalities, with higher-income areas enjoying better-maintained, safer, and more diverse green spaces. These findings extend theoretical understandings of green space use to African urban contexts and provide evidence-based guidance for policy and practice.