Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
THE City of Harare finance committee chairperson, Councillor Costa Mande, says Harare’s population is projected to surpass 2,3 million residents by 2026, up from the 2022 Census figures of 1,489 million, reflecting an annual urbanisation rate of approximately 2,5 percent.
In his 2026 budget presentation at Townhouse last week, Cllr Mande said this growth has intensified demand for water, wastewater management, transport and housing with informal settlements expanding on the city’s periphery, especially in Budiriro, Epworth, Hatcliffe and Caledonia.
“The Harare Masterplan of 2025-2045 promotes compact vertical growth in serviced areas to limit urban sprawl, reduce infrastructure pressure and improve service delivery efficiency,” he said.
“The city is also prioritising infill housing developments, redevelopment of underutilised municipal land and the creation of mixed-use urban loans that integrate commercial, residential and transport functions.”
Cllr Mande said the daily urban mobility has seen 800 000 commuter trips, underscoring the need for improved public transport, parking management and pedestrian infrastructure.
He said the decentralisation of administrative and service functions into five regional zones has also reshaped urban movement and fiscal decentralisation patterns.
