Evaluation of Sudan's Experience with Foreign Urban Planning Consultancy:The Case of Greater Khartoum

Abstract

The Sudan, like many other nations in developing countries, has sought consulting services in the field of urban planning. Frequently, in these countries there will be deficiencies in one or more of: technical ability, financial resources, governmental institutions, physical infrastructure, but more importantly, the countries own concept of urban planning and sense of the needs and the future of its people as expressed in the development plans, goals, means and objectives. However, due to lack of experience, foreign firms and consultants have been invited to participate in urban planning exercisein the Sudan. Therefore, Greater Khartoum witnessed the introduction of two large master plans guided and designed by foreign consultants; namely Doxiadis (1958) and Mefit (1974). This practice in the Sudan is of course a part of linkages between ex-colonies and the West in various consultancy fields, as well as in legal, administrative and educational/ training urban planning heritage. Foreign urban planning experience in the Sudan has proved that it is not germane to the solution of local urban planning problems. Although the planning concept and approach of the Doxiadis A.C.E. of Athens (1958) was different from that of Mefit S.P.A. of Rome (1974), the system of socio-economic, socio-spatial and techno –economic approach of the two plans were characterized by irrelevance to local conditions in which there is no governmental commitment to housing and welfare planning, and by formulation of plans by an exclusive technical sense.