Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
The City of Harare has completed its long-awaited master plan, which is now ready to be presented to the council and Cabinet for approval.
The master plan is critical as it is part of efforts to guide the capital’s future growth and development.
Speaking during the 1947th Ordinary Council Meeting held at Town House today, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said the city’s last master plan was prepared in 1993.
He described the completion of the new master plan as a major achievement for the current council and the city’s planning department.
“This council has achieved what I consider to be a phenomenal feat through the acting director of planning and the chairperson of the planning committee,” said Cllr Mafume.
“We reached a stage where the Minister was writing to us, and there was also the President’s Call to Action for local authorities to have master plans.
“Now we finally have a master plan ready to be presented to the council for adoption and this is a huge achievement.”
Cllr Mafume said the master plan would provide a framework for the city’s long-term development and help shape Harare into a modern and economically vibrant capital city.
“We want to see how our city will develop in the future. Harare is the capital city, and we want to grow business opportunities and create an environment where people can make money,” he said.
“We want to create a capital city that attracts investment, creates jobs and drives economic growth. The master plan is key to achieving a world-class city.”
He said the completion of the master plan demonstrated that the council had fulfilled one of its critical responsibilities in urban planning and development.
“We will not be accused of abandoning our duty. This is something many people had been waiting for in Harare,” said Cllr Mafume.
He added that the master plan would help address the problem of unplanned settlements that continue to emerge across the city.
“Settlements are mushrooming everywhere, and that has to stop. We stop it through the implementation of a proper master plan,” he said.
“People must develop according to a plan. This city must be properly planned so that residents can enjoy living in it through improved entertainment facilities, economic opportunities and better urban infrastructure.”
Cllr Mafume said the council also intended to promote densification and efficient land use as part of the city’s future urban development strategy.
