malvernmugadzikwa
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro
THE Government intends to engage local and foreign real estate investors for a countrywide programme to retrofit ageing infrastructure and rejuvenate urban areas.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
It is expected the plan will transform urban areas and ensure key infrastructure meets contemporary standards and support sustainable economic growth.
Central to this initiative will be the engagement of both local and international investors.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said discussions were ongoing with potential investors for a collaborative approach to urban renewal.
“The first one is to invite investors . . . local, domestic and international to join hands with us in urban renewal.
“As we speak, we are seized with discussions with various investors from outside Zimbabwe and within Zimbabwe on urban renewal in Harare and other cities,” the minister said.
“So, within a month or so from today, we will have investors on the ground, working on urban renewal. We are working on the Mukuvisi dungeon, from the dam to the Manyame River. We need to relook into our cities.”
Particular attention will be given to the capital, Harare, given its central role in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.
Minister Garwe underscored the importance of areas like Mbare,
which are vital income generators for the city.
Mbare Market, Siyaso and Matapi hostels are among the key locations targeted for redevelopment, reflecting the Government’s commitment to enhancing urban living conditions and economic opportunities.
“You may not be aware that Mbare is the biggest income generator for Harare and it needs urban renewal. These areas in Harare include Mbare Market, Siyaso, as well as Matapi hostels. They have seen better days. We are now working on that,” he added.
Through these efforts, the Government seeks to breathe new life into Harare, fostering a modern and vibrant urban environment.
Its strategy involves utilising buildings owned by the council and various parastatals, which dominate the downtown area of Harare’s central business district (CBD).
These buildings present significant potential for redevelopment and modernisation, offering a practical starting point for urban renewal efforts.
With the majority of downtown buildings under their control, the Government has a unique opportunity to streamline the redevelopment process.
By targeting these properties, the Government aims to maximise the impact of its investment and development plans, ensuring that the city’s core infrastructure is both modernised and more efficiently utilised.
This focus not only promises to enhance the urban environment but also aims to stimulate economic growth by attracting businesses and residents back to the city centre.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is actively pursuing discussions with international property developers to bolster urban development in Harare.
Another source within the ministry said: “We are currently in talks with property developers from Belarus, leveraging on the strategic partnership formed when Harare was twinned with Minsk.”
In addition to Belarusian developers, the ministry is also engaging investors from the Middle East.
Following recent visits by business delegations from the region, the ministry has initiated discussions to explore potential development projects.
“Our engagements with Middle Eastern property developers have been promising, and we are optimistic about the investment opportunities they bring,” the source added.
These talks are part of a broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment into the country’s real estate sector.
Discussions are also underway with two prominent local property developers, whose names have been withheld for confidentiality reasons. The goal is to involve these developers in public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.
The source stated: “We are exploring PPP opportunities with these local developers to ensure that our urban development projects benefit from both local expertise and international investment.”
Dr Cliff Chari, a property expert and lecturer at Midlands State University, believes it is time to embark on the project as most buildings in Harare’s CBD have been abandoned, with business parks mushrooming outside the city.
The property expert said the country needs to learn from the 13-year urban renewal of Johannesburg, South Africa, which flipped the country from its doldrums.
“The Braamfontein district was once the corporate heart of Johannesburg. In the late 1980s, businesses started moving out, initiating two decades of decay.”
“But today, Braamfontein has undergone an amazing rebirth. Entrepreneurs have transformed abandoned buildings into trendy restaurants, shops and centres for arts, culture and business. Young hipsters and entrepreneurs mix with students and tourists,” Dr Chari said.
The neighbourhood is emerging as a powerful symbol of the potential for renewal in cities in Africa and around the world, as it signals that innovation and optimism can triumph over poverty and crime.
Dr Chari concluded: “The regeneration was kicked off in 2002 by the local government, which realised the potential of Braamfontein.
“They embarked on a revitalisation programme for the area. Soon to follow were entrepreneurs and young urban pioneers who sought to turn the gritty neighbourhood into a stimulating, safe and affordable place to live and work in.”
On inter-ministerial collaboration, Minister Garwe said they are working with related ministries to see this through.
“We are working together with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development . . . ,” he concluded.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu