peterJudith Phiri, Business Reporter
AS the country adopts the Smart City concept, three pilot projects to kick-start the process have been identified that will see those places transformed into digital and green energy smart cities.
The Smart City concept is expected to generate the much-needed investments that will boost economic growth towards the targeted upper middle-income status by 2030.
Speaking in Bulawayo during the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Dr Daniel Garwe said his Ministry has endeavoured to move with time and adopt strategies that conform to the dictates of the digitalised world and globalisation.
“This has culminated in the adoption of the Smart City concept.
We have prioritised three pilot projects to kick-start the whole process, that is, Melfort in Mashonaland East Province, Figtree in Matabeleland South Province and Chirundu in Mashonaland West Province.
Ideally, these are completely new cities that are anchored on digitalisation and green energy where people ‘Live, Work and Play’.
This implies that we are not there to create a dormitory town for Bulawayo for instance, with the case of Figtree,” said Dr Garwe.
He, however, said this was not an event but a process, with proper procedures to be observed and wider consultations conducted.
The Minister said the implementation would be phased, with the first phase encompassing stakeholder consultation, detailed feasibility studies and planning.
“We have initiated preliminary consultations for Melfort and Chirundu and now we are targeting Figtree within this second quarter.
Government is there to promote the idea, but the respective local authorities and the private sector are the prime movers of the concept when it comes to implementation and stakeholder participation.”
He said there was an appetite in the private sector for such investment opportunities, especially from the insurance and pension funds, the financial sector, asset management entities, realtors and other investors.
Dr Garwe said the packaging of the concept, mainstreaming the opportunities as well as roles and responsibilities in line with the provisions of the Zimbabwean laws guiding investment in Zimbabwe was critical at this stage.
“It is vital to highlight that Government thrust is not only on new cities, even the conventional urban settlements need regeneration and renewal in line with the recently launched Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.
“A case in point is that, Bulawayo City Council is working on the regeneration of Makokoba, Mutare is working on Sakubva, Harare is working on Mbare and Victoria Falls is working on Chinotimba and the low density, to mention but a few.”
Dr Garwe said they did not expect a replica of the pre-colonial Makokoba, Sakubva, Mbare or Chinotimba with the tired designs and service provision post urban renewal.
He said that provided an opportunity to try out digitalisation, green energy, and metered or prepaid liquid petroleum gas systems and internet connectivity among other services.
“There are many benefits emanating from the use of digital technology.
For instance, the local authority can detect leakages in real time, whether for water or sewer, the power utilities can detect illegal connections or vandalism of infrastructure in real time, billing can be simplified for all utilities provided thereby reducing the default rate by instilling rate payers’ confidence as it promotes transparency and accountability,” said Dr Garwe.
Online Reporter