Intensive urban growth and proliferation of urban settlements are basic characteristics
of postcolonial development of Botswana. Immediately before gaining independence only 4%
of population lived in urban settlements. According to the government Central Statistic Office
(CSO) 47.5% of population will live in cities, townships and urban villages by year 2001.
However, beside positive effects, urban development in Botswana has resulted in
problems related to rural-urban disparities and increased pressure on urban infrastructure and
services. Today, local governments are facing problems in adequate and efficient service
provision, as well as in the sphere of co-ordination and management of a wide range of public
and private sector activities. Obviously, the situation cannot continue in the present direction,
and improvements must be made to the current practice of urban management.
Thus, the question for urban planners, and other policy makers is: how can future urban
growth of such magnitude be managed in such a way that it does not occur to the detriment of
the rural economy, the surrounding environment and the urban system itself?