The LENSS Tool Kit is designed to alleviate the difficulties of shelter and settlement needs assessment in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and before the recovery phase.

This report examines urbanization rates in Tanzania and its impacts on housing provision.

It also reviews the different settlement upgrading projects carried out by the government, NGOs and other stakeholders that were aimed at improving the lives and working conditions of the majority of people living in informal settlements.

The goal of this action plan is to upgrade 50 per cent of the existing unplanned and unserviced areas in Dar es Salaam by 2020 while simultaneously preventing the formation of new unplanned settlements. The plan is divided into thematic action plans, with cost estimates, for land, basic services, housing and capacity building.

The action plan is the result of a consultative process involving all city stakeholders and partners, driven since 2005 by the Government of Tanzania and the Dar es Salaam Local Authorities, with technical assistance from UN-HABITAT and funding from Cities Alliance.