Evaluating the Use of Participatory Development Communication Model in the Implementation of the Kinondoni District Vocational Training Centre Project, Dar Es Salaam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/jmjmc.v2i1.6513Keywords:
Community Involvement, Kinondoni District Vocational Training Centre Project, Project ImplementationAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the Participatory Development Communication (PDC) Model in implementing the Kinondoni District Vocational Training Centre (DVTC) project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to assess the extent and effectiveness of community participation in project planning and execution. Findings reveal that while mechanisms for public engagement existed, participation was largely symbolic and limited to information dissemination rather than genuine dialogue or decision-making. Weak institutional responsiveness, low awareness, and inadequate feedback mechanisms hindered full community involvement. The study concludes that effective participatory communication requires two-way interaction, transparency, and early stakeholder engagement. It recommends strengthening local communication structures and institutionalizing participatory frameworks to enhance ownership, trust, and project sustainability.
References
Abah, J., & Nwokwu, P. M. (2021). Community participation and sustainable development in Africa: Rethinking the role of participatory communication. Journal of Development Communication Studies, 38(2), 45–58.
Ako, R. T. (2017). Public participation in environmental decision-making: Reflections on legal frameworks and practices in Sweden and the United States. International Journal of Sustainable Development, 10(3), 112–129.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Chaligha, A. (2021). Citizen engagement and project success: A study of the Kigamboni Bridge project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Journal of African Governance and Development, 8(1), 56–73.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Elo, S., Kääriäinen, M., Kanste, O., Pölkki, T., Utriainen, K., & Kyngäs, H. (2014). Qualitative content analysis: A focus on trustworthiness. SAGE Open, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014522633
Enghel, F. (2011). Communication, development, and social change: Future directions for research. Nordicom Review, 32(2), 73–87.
Etikan, I., & Bala, K. (2017). Sampling and sampling methods. Biometrics & Biostatistics International Journal, 5(6), 215–217. https://doi.org/10.15406/bbij.2017.05.00149
Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
Gumucio-Dagron, A., & Tufte, T. (2006). Communication for social change anthology: Historical and contemporary readings. Communication for Social Change Consortium.
Kaswamila, A., & Mwita, N. (2020). Public communication and citizen participation in local government projects: The case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. African Journal of Public Administration and Management, 31(2), 77–93.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Manyozo, L. (2022). Communicating development with communities: Empowerment and participation in practice. Routledge.
Melkote, S. R., & Steeves, H. L. (2015). Communication for development: Theory and practice for empowerment and social justice (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Mbilinyi, F. (2019). Enhancing youth participation in vocational training through participatory communication in Kigamboni, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Community Development, 6(1), 23–39.
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
Servaes, J. (1999). Communication for development: One world, multiple cultures. Hampton Press.
Servaes, J. (2008). Communication for development and social change. SAGE Publications.
Servaes, J., & Malikhao, P. (2020). Theoretical roots and contextual evolutions of communication for development and social change. Journal of Communication for Development, 3(1), 1–19.
Tufte, T. (2018). Communication and social change: A citizen perspective. Polity Press.
Tufte, T., & Mefalopulos, P. (2017). Participatory communication: A practical guide. World Bank Publications.
United Republic of Tanzania (URT). (2018). Kinondoni Municipal Council profile. Government Printer.
Wilkins, K. G. (2008). Development communication: A critical introduction. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Pancras Elizabeth, Francis Xavier Ng’atigwa, Joseph Matumaini

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.