Changing Patterns of African Rural-Urban Migration and Urbanisation in Zimbabwe

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Periodical article

Title:	Changing Patterns of African Rural-Urban Migration and Urbanisation in Zimbabwe
Authors:	Mutambirwa, C.C. Potts, Deborah
Year:	1990
Periodical:	Eastern and Southern Africa Geographical Journal
Volume:	1
Issue:	1
Period:	February
Pages:	26-39
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	urbanization Urbanization and Migration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) rural-urban migration population
Abstract:	This paper examines patterns of African rural-urban migration and urbanization in Zimbabwe. It argues that legislative measures, in particular, seem to have had a strong influence on the rate of rural-urban migration. Preindependence legislation discouraged the free rural-urban mobility of Africans, whereas legislative changes introduced with the attainment of independence in 1980 by the black majority government removed racially based barriers to mobility. The chances are that postindependence rural-urban migration patterns will be similar to those experienced in other independent African countries. Zimbabwe's large urban centres are experiencing high population growth with consequent pressures on urban amenities and facilities. The government is now trying to discourage rural-urban migration by promoting the development of the rural areas and thereby reducing socioeconomic imbalances between the rural and urban sectors of the country. Bibliogr., sum.