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This paper aims to explore the role of participatory governance to actors’ participation in land use planning for tenure security in rural Tanzania. Three case studies where land use planning project implemented were selected to make assessment on how local actors were involved in the process.

This paper uses qualitative research methods, whereby semi-structured interviews with village landholders and key informants were conducted to get their perspectives on land use decisions and land tenure (in)security. Besides, focus group discussions with the village landholders were also used.

The research findings indicate low participation of local actors in land use planning process. Decisions on land use by the local actors were very minimal. Further, communication between the involved actors was also difficult.

The study offers insights on participatory governance into land use planning for tenure security. The study develops a framework to improve land use planning process toward tenure security outcome. A tri-partite strategy consisting of enabling mechanisms of governance capacity, institutional capacity and converging discourses articulates a framework for the evolution in the degree of local actors’ participation to improve security of land rights through land use planning process in rural Tanzania.

Special economic zones (SEZs) typically require high-quality service and infrastructure, as well as the presence of skilled and experienced facilities managers. However, the zones face several challenges in terms of facility management, such as poor infrastructure and an unprofessional approach to facilities management (FM). Using two public SEZs, this study aims to examine the drivers of effective facilities management practices, evaluate management strategies and explore challenges that prevent the zones’ effective facilities management.

The study uses a mixed-method research approach to collect data from selected investors and facilities managers, with primary data collected through a questionnaire to 101 respondents and interviews conducted with 8 facilities managers. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, while descriptive analysis was used to analyse data collected through a survey.

The results show that FM in the zones is highly in-house, with facilities managers’ roles only seen as critical during the occupation stage, little involvement during the construction stage and no involvement at all during the design stage. The analysis of the drivers for effective FM practices reveals a disparity between what is occurring on the ground and best practices. Furthermore, investors were dissatisfied with the quality of facilities management practices, the competence of facilities managers in carrying out their facilities management responsibilities and the time required to deliver services.

This study proposed a conceptual framework that guides policymakers and other stakeholders on properly managing PSEZs to attract investors’ interest. The study also calls for professional FM in PSEZs, policy intervention to separate government ownership from Zone management and addressing problems that impede zone competitiveness.

Sustainability in the built environment is rapidly gaining attention worldwide, although many developing countries have not accomplished much on the ground as many sustainability aspects still remain untreated. Despite their low greenhouse gas contributions to the globe, the high rate of construction activities that do not embrace sustainable practices in these countries pose challenges to the environment. Using the case of Tanzania, this study assesses the level of sustainability awareness among key stakeholders in the built environment.

The study uses a mixed-method research approach where primary data was collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with key informants comprising engineers, architects, property managers, property owners, property users and academicians from institutions of higher learning.

Results show that despite the potential for a sustainable built environment, there is a low level of awareness among key stakeholders. Whereas few architects, who were aware, admitted to have not incorporated sustainability aspects in their building design, other stakeholders did not have active roles in decision-making involving building construction projects. Compared to the rest, the awareness level of property users was the lowest. Lack of a specific policy or policy statement on sustainable building, high initial costs of sustainable building, few skilled professionals and lack of a broad choice of building materials are some of the factors accounting for the low level of sustainability adoption in the built environment.

The significance of this study lies within the objective of showing awareness levels of sustainability aspects among key built environment stakeholders and policymakers, which is important in devising strategies for promoting sustainable construction practices.