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Context and background Despite steps implemented by Local Government Authorities to guarantee appropriate urban land development, individuals in informal settlements are developing in violation of laws, rules, and norms. Millions of individuals have grabbed property and constructed temporary houses to gain a footing in cities, in violation of law and ownership rights. Squatter colonies can be found in cities of newly developing economies on hillsides, parks, roadside, unplanned land on urban outskirts, and even valuable land in city centres. As more people pour into the cities and appropriate land, governments find it more difficult to dislodge them or protect private owners whose land is being taken extra-legally.Goal and Objectives:This paper aimed to investigate dynamism in development control strategies on informal settlement in urban areas and suggest how these strategies can be integrated with urban dwellers to achieve modern planning of the cities of the future.Methodology:A community-based qualitative study was carried out in Arusha's Osunyai ward, Arusha Tanzania. Methods used included key informant telephone interviews, observation and documentary review.Results:The findings demonstrate that land development tenets lie with institutions being able to provide individuals with equal access to land for all, resolve land and property disputes, security of tenure while streamlining transparent land market and guiding sustainable land development. Contrary to these, shreds of evidence from the case study indicate that individuals practice land transactions that are decentralised and only regulated by ward or sub-ward administration. The research proposes that local leaders be included in the implementation of land development control. In addition, landholders in informal settlements should be educated on the significance of complying with development control. This is intended to encourage better urban expansion of sustainable settlements.
