‘CBD expansion conforms to trends’

said.
Dr Sasha Jogi said the planned expansion of the CBD was in conformity with world trends which are witnessing unprecedented urban growth.

The expansion is incorporating Arcadia, Braeside, Hillside, Ridgeview, Milton Park, Newlands, Eastlea, parts of Belvedere, Workington and Graniteside industrial areas following unprecedented demand for commercial space.

“This is a century of cities,” said Dr Jogi, who is also Harare special interest councillor. Cities are growing at phenomenal rates. One million people are being added to world cities globally.”

Dr Jogi said at independence Harare had slightly over 250 000 people but that population has now grown to over 2,5 million, implying that the facilities that the city is using 33 years after independence were designed for a fraction of its present population.

“There is no longer the pass system that was used to restrict the urban drift. The old plans are now out of sync with what new urbanites want,” he said.

The review of land uses in the expanded CBD, Dr Jogi said, would have implications on some property owners who might be asked to relocate because of the changing zone uses.

The city last year unveiled plans to develop into a world class city and set a number of targets that have to be achieved to realise the goal.

“The city is on the move. Change has come to Harare. Property values will certainly go up,” said Mr Shumba.

Under the review process and through consultation and negotiation with stakeholders some areas would be designated for particular uses while other activities would be prohibited.

In some sections there would be mixed development and land uses such as residential, commercial and recreational.

Dr Jogi said there was now need to introduce the mass bus transport system to conform to the demands of a growing city. He said under the Harare Master Plan, the transport, water, sewer and other master plans for other services need to be revisited to capture new trends.

Another urban planner Mr Percy Toriro hailed the proposed expansion saying it was long overdue.