Internationally, urban crime rates have been soaring, particularly in the cities of the developing world. Dar es Salaam, a city of more than three million inhabitants, which is expanding at 8% per annum, is also experiencing high crime rates, in particular since the early 1990s.

The effects of crime may be difficult to quantify, but the deterioration of the social fabric and the loss of investment related to crime tend to generate a vicious cycle of degradation that is difficult to overcome. Insecure communities and a culture of fear heighten the negative effects of social exclusion and contribute to a poor quality of life. In addition, it is the underprivileged who suffer most.

Acknowledging these challenges, the city of Dar es Salaam has initiated the development of a local safety strategy. This strategy, based on a local coalition of actors working together under the leadership of the local authority, was developed with the assistance of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS — Habitat), in partnership with the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, Montreal, and the Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria. The initiative successfully builds on local cultures, value systems and priorities to ensure sustainability. At present, this process is being institutionalised within the local authority functions.

The victim survey on which this book is based was carried out in March 2000 as part of the rigorous analytical process promoted within the safety strategy. The methodology has been developed by UNCHS (Habitat) and its partners and the survey results will form the basis for the development of targeted actions.

The survey casts light on the experience of violence and crime and on feelings of insecurity in the city of Dar es Salaam. It indicates that, between 1995 and 2000, 43% of residents have been victims of burglaries, and 32% have been mugged. Feelings of insecurity are also high with 61% of the residents interviewed feeling unsafe in their homes after dark.

The findings of the survey will help the Dar es Salaam City Council and its newly established municipalities to reach a shared understanding of safety issues in the city, and to focus and react to them in a collaborative manner. They will also allow the monitoring of the impact of prevention initiatives over time. This will assist Dar es Salaam to establish a sound footing for building an enabling environment that truly reflects Urban Safety for All and the foundation for the building of the Dar es Salaam Haven of Peace in the new millennium.

UNCHS (Habitat) is aware that safety and security concerns must extend beyond reacting to the effects of crime to address the root causes of crime, gender violence, vandalism, and other forms of deviant behaviour. Responses must be found within communities and through mechanisms based on local culture and on the resources and capacities of the various stakeholders. Cities are increasingly expected to take a proactive role in leading local efforts in this direction, supplementing the role of the state in ensuring security for all.

With this publication, UNCHS (Habitat) and its partners present the results of this survey as a source of reference for those involved in designing local crime prevention strategies. The publication is also intended to support discussions on how best to understand and address urban crime and violence in the cities of the developing world.

Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka
Executive Director
UNCHS (Habitat)
Nairobi, February 2001