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Asphat Muposhi Correspondent
The designation of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise Road) as an economic corridor should not be interpreted narrowly as a mere name change, but as a bold step towards a smart cities developmental trajectory.
The repositioning of ED Mnangagwa Road as an economic hub is part of the overarching objective of the Harare City Council to be a world-class city.
The proclamation of ED Mnangagwa Road as an economic corridor represents a strategic national project aimed at transforming livelihoods, entrepreneurial development and enhancing business competitiveness.
Efficient transportation forms the heartbeat of a modern economy and as such, ED Mnangagwa Road is expected to act as a strategic link of Harare with the North-Eastern hinterland of Zimbabwe.
An efficient flow of traffic is also identified as a key enabling factor for the realisation of the smart cities agenda.
The ED Mnangagwa Road corridor is expected to be modelled around the model of Colfax Avenue, one of the longest commercial roads in Denver, United States.
Colfax Avenue is known for attracting investment, tourists and de-congesting traffic from the city centre.
In view of the rezoning of ED Mnangagwa Road, it is important to unpack what this development entails for residents, businesses and road administration authorities.
Suburbanisation, economic development and social transformation are emerging as key developments following the proclamation.
As an economic corridor, ED Mnangagwa Road is expected to create investment opportunities in retail, real estate, entertainment and transportation.
Already, fast foods outlets, shopping plazas and restaurants are sprouting and are providing avenues for networking and leisure.
There is also evidence of suburbanisation and densification as some property owners are starting to convert their residential properties into commercial offices and business parks.
What is pertinent during this process is that property owners should familiarise with the Harare City Council’s rezoning guidelines to ensure that the alterations comply with the by-laws. ED Mnangagwa corridor has also been repositioned as an investment hub as it is situated along upmarket residential areas with huge disposable incomes such as Highlands, Glen Lorne, Chisipite, and Newlands.
Also, the ED Mnangagwa corridor has now been transformed into a construction zone as shown by a number of upcoming developments such as shopping malls, residential parks and food courts.
Notable examples of upcoming projects include the Highlands Shopping Mall which is expected to house leading supermarkets such as Pick n Pay.
In anticipation of the traffic flow, a mega fuel service station is being developed on the boundary of City of Harare and Goromonzi Rural District Council.
The service station, which is at the advanced stage of development, seeks to offer convenience to farmers who sell produce at Mbare Musika by providing fertiliser, pesticides, vegetable seeds, cattle dipping chemicals and an eatery facility away from the congestion of the city traffic. The service station is also envisaged to provide overnight truck parking service for commercial transport.
In order to reposition ED Mnangagwa Road as an economic corridor, there is an urgent need to upgrade infrastructure and promote efficient traffic flow.
In particular, there is need to reduce traffic congestion and accidents.
Traffic data indicate congestion at intersections with roads funnelling out of ED Mnangagwa Road such as Samora Machel, Newlands Road, Harare Drive, Ridgeway Road, and Arcturus Road.
To enhance the efficient flow of traffic, there is need to improve service level performance related to traffic progression and traffic lights cycle lengths. ED Mnangagwa Road authorities may need to consider implementing smart road initiatives such as smart traffic signs, intelligent traffic lights, intelligent traffic intersections and smart highways.
It is expected that the successful development of ED Mnangagwa Road as an economic corridor will spur similar developments in other cities’ exit highways in Zimbabwe such as Samora Machel, Simon Mazorodze and Nemakonde (Lomangundi) Road.
Asphat Muposhi (PhD) is a Lecturer in the Department of Information and Marketing Sciences, Midlands State University. He writes in his individual capacity.
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