The Evolutionary Processes of Border Town Development: Case of Mwami Border Town in Zambia

Abstract

The growth of settlements at national boundaries in most developing economies in Africa has been perceived to be unplanned and uncontrolled.  However, there is a school of thought that postulates that, such unique settlements evolve as a result of deliberte government actions or planned interventions as directed by land use planners.  History of settlement evolution and development indicate that, settlement evolution is dependent on many factors based on strategic geographical positions as well as other social, cultural, economic an dpolitical factors.  The general assumption of most planners and geographers is that, border towns evolve and develop because of the movements that humans engage in cross border trading and the ease with which individuals create places of habittion.  This study analyzed the growth of settlements at Mwami border. The study had three objectives which included: to identify the major factors affecting the growth of settlements at the border, to identify the determinants of growth of settlements at the border, and to examine th epossible economic linkages of settlements growth at the border and District Capital of Chipata.  The research utilized physical serveys, focus group discussions, interviews and questionnaires to gather the data.  The conceptual proposition o fth estudy was that there is no government intervention in settlement development processes at the border, hence the exhibition of manifestation of the "science of muddling through".  The factors that lead to settlement growth at the border are easy accessibility to land (i.e., customary land), cross-border trade, farming and money changing.  The determinants were the presence of different institutions, socio-economic infrastructure, i.e., schools, clinic, bank and easy procdure of approval of development plans.  Lastly, the research revealed that , the growth of settlements at the border promoted and enhanced local economic develoment at the District capital of Chipata.