Geo-Database and Infrastructure for the Informal Manufacturing Sector in Harare

Echoing calls on various fronts in the public and private sectors have highlighted the need for developing a comprehensive informal sector database that has sufficient and up-to-date data. In as far as it can be ascertained, such a comprehensive database satisfying the needs of a wide array of stakeholders is yet to be created. A multiple-embedded case study of Gazaland, Siyaso and the Complex home industries in Harare, Zimbabwe, was used to prototype a database of the informal sector. Primary data was gathered using a digital questionnaire and secondary data was gathered from accessible literature and statutory documents inclined to the area of study, using content analysis. This chapter proffers a functional, flexible and scalable solution to the current information asymmetry, while solving some of the major impending issues revolving around why such a database should be compiled, what to incorporate in the database and how to enable multiple stakeholder contribution without compromising on data security and integrity. Interestingly, the proposed data model has a significant inclination towards the five pillars of the New Urban Agenda.