Vincent Itai Tanyanyiwa

Biography

Vincent is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the  Zimbabwe Open University ( ZOU). Vincent’s academic qualifications are multidisciplinary. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)in Human Geography, with additional credentials: a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning & Management, a Bachelor of Science Special Honours in Urban Management Studies, a Bachelor of Science Honours in Geography & Environmental Studies, and a Diploma in Education from the University of Zimbabwe. His research portfolio spans ecosystem services, human-environment interactions, and the diverse impacts of environmental change on community and ecosystem vulnerability. His work examines the dynamics of water resource management and the challenges of urban sustainability. Vincent's scholarly output includes authoring, co-authoring, and editing monographs, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and presenting at international and regional conferences. He has convened and delivered undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Urban Planning, Environmental Education, Research Methods, and Climate Change. He has also supervised research projects at both levels. Vincent’s service to the university includes participation in academic committees, workshops, and community engagement. His innovative contributions further extend to fostering industrialisation through research commercialisation and the development of contextually relevant goods and services. 

Project Information

Project title: Walking Urbanism, Climate Vulnerability, and Spatial Inequality in Harare: Situating African Urbanism within Global Entanglements 

This research explores the daily experiences of people who rely on walking as their main way of getting around in Harare’s city centre. It looks at how global issues like climate change and social inequality affect pedestrians in the city. Walking is not just a way to travel; it also helps build stronger communities and is good for the environment. However, many people in Harare walk out of necessity, not choice, due to limited transport options and the legacy of past city planning decisions. The study examines how wider global trends and local challenges come together to shape daily life for walkers in Harare. It focuses on the problems pedestrians face, such as unsafe, crowded, and sometimes flooded walkways, made worse by a lack of investment in public transport. The research uses interviews, field notes, and official documents to understand how people, local vendors, community leaders, and city officials experience and respond to these challenges. The project’s main goal is to highlight how Harare’s residents adapt and find solutions, showing their resilience in difficult conditions. It also aims to suggest practical ways city planners and policymakers can make Harare’s streets safer, more inclusive, and better able to handle climate challenges. By connecting local experiences to global trends, the study shows how Africa, and Harare in particular, is actively responding to worldwide changes. This research is supervised by Paul Chatterton,  a Professor of Urban Futures, School of Geography, University of Leeds, who specialises in sustainable urban development.