This study is based on Malthusian theory, the Optimal City Size hypothesis propounded by Cannan (1924) and advanced by Robbins, Dalton and Carr-Saunders (Getz 1979, 204), and the Carrying Capacity Concept in planning by Bishop and others (1974).The central thesis of the Malthusian theory is that when population growth exceeds the rate of food production, this gives rise to negative and positive checks. Similarly, when urban population growth exceeds the rate of urban infrastructure provision, urban problems start to manifest. This theory highlights the need to link urban population control institutions and urban management. In contrast to these theories, the Marxist and the neo- Marxist theories point out some of the loopholes of Malthus’s arguments, including its neglect of the labour aspect in population increase. Marx upholds the view that population increases mean an increase in work force, and consequently an increase in productivity (Gimenez, 1973). This means that population increase in urban areas is not necessarily a negative development but rather a likely contribution to urban productivity. Moreover, Malthusian theories fail to foresee the effects of improvements in technology and transport. Notwithstanding these criticisms, the Malthusian theory, the Optimal City Size theory and the carrying capacity concept remain essential in urban management, specifically in developing countries like Zimbabwe, as they all reflect the relevance of balancing population growth and available services (Mukheli et al, 2002; Kamete, 2006; Rakodi, 1990).