An analysis of the contribution of the informal industries to urban social and economic development. Case of Glenview Area 8, furniture manufacturing industries.

Abstract

This research seeks to analyze the contribution of the informal sector to the urban social and economic development particularly the furniture manufacturing industries in Glenview area 8.the furniture manufacturing complex was established by the government in 2005 after the devastating Operation Murambatsvina as a compensatory measure to the victims of the clean-up campaign. The government constructed the complex after they realized that many people were left with no sources of income since many urban dwellers were earning their livelihoods from the informal industries. First chapter of this study gives a general overview of the growth of the informal industries in Zimbabwe and the furniture manufacturing industries in Glenview area 8 in particular. The second chapter gives detailed findings of the impacts of the furniture manufacturing industries to the urban social and economic development in a country with characterized by high unemployment rate and liquidity crunch. The high unemployment rate is perpetuating the rapid growth of the informal industries as many companies and industries are closing down and some retrenching workers day by day. This study also identified various challenges being faced by the informal industries which is hindering their growth into bigger firms. This research also tried to came up with suggested recommendations on the problems faced by the informal industries.