Abstract :
Urban planning in the Sudan fails to deal adequately with the problems of rapid urbanisation. In this paper the poor performance of urban planning is related to developments in the planning environment. The context is investigated using what is known as the urban management approach as a tool for analysis. An attempt is made to elucidate how the overall political climate, measures to increase popular participation, decentralisation efforts, economic development policy and the prevailing administrative culture and structure affect urban planning practice. The grim picture that arises from the evaluation is attributed mainly to the adverse role of politics and to countervailing forces within the social system. Accepting, however, that progress is gradual, the paper ends with some suggestions as to how to improve upon the present situation.
