This thesis examines the Ujamaa movement program since the Arusha Declaration. The discussion focuses on the development of villages as means of achieving popular participation in a socialist society.It analyzes the historical antecedents of physical village form in Tanzania, from traditional settlement to present Ujamaa villages. The study discusses the principle models that have been used for Ujamaa villages as well as their origins. The study explores Michaela Von Freyhold case studies in the early years of the program. Comparison is made between Freyhold's critique and the author's experience in two Ujamaa villages.Conclusion is then drawn from these two experiences by evaluating the failures and successes of the whole operation, whether the achievements are really caused by socialism or whether they happened despite national policies. / Department of Urban Planning