Vusumuzi Dube
Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Business Reporter
There is an urgent need to reinvent Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD) by transforming it into a hub for government and financial services, while also updating zoning laws to support suburban commercial activity without leading to overcrowding.
This was said by Bulawayo-based architect Mr Adams Mapingire, following a report by real estate consultants Knight Frank Zimbabwe which revealed that ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure has driven vacancy rates in Bulawayo’s CBD to 40 percent.
The report further noted that 30 percent of businesses previously located in the city centre relocated to suburban areas such as Suburbs and Khumalo between the second half of 2020 and the second half of 2024.
“On long-term solutions, there is a need to focus on making the CBD a hub for government, finance, and cultural services, while suburbs cater to niche businesses,” said Mr Mapingire.
“On policy adjustments, authorities can update zoning laws to support suburban commercial activity without overcrowding.”
He added that one approach to revitalising the CBD could be the adaptive reuse of older buildings, converting them into hybrid spaces.
“Some of these buildings could have retail on the ground floor, offices above, and residential units at the top to create vibrancy,” he explained.
Mr. Mapingire also emphasised the importance of enhancing security to curb business relocation and improve occupancy.
“Security initiatives such as increasing police patrols and installing surveillance cameras to reduce crime—a common deterrent for businesses—could be another solution,” he said
Online Reporter