Online ReporterThe Herald, 1 August 1989
SOME of the old commercial and residential buildings in the Kopje area most of them dating to the years when the area was the town centre must now give way to a generation of buildings which will take the area into the 21st century, says the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Cde Enos Chikowore.
Speaking at the facility tour of the just completed REM Investments office block in the Kopje yesterday, the minister said that since the relegation of the area as the hub of commercial activity 70 years ago, the Kopje had been neglected. As a result, it had become the undesirable western end of the city.
Cde Chikowore called on developers to build modern buildings in the area, but where necessary, to preserve important facets of the country’s heritage in relation to the built environment.
Following the decision by the Government to site and develop the Harare International Conference Centre, the Zanu (PF) headquarters, the High Court and the National Library and Documentation Centre, it soon became apparent that the old Kopje area would not complement the evolving environment.
“To redress this situation, a special development order was gazetted in 1986 which made possible the introduction of commercial and office uses of vacant and undeveloped stands in the area,” he said.
In order to soften the blow in relation to residents in the area, the minister said blocks of flats were not affected by that order. He said the ministry had authorised Harare City Council to prepare a local priority plan for the Kopje.
A draft plan was already on public exhibition and the plan was now being finalised in the light of public representations.
At present the African Development Bank building, just opposite the REM Investments block, is nearing completion. Other development projects earmarked for the Kopje Include the School of Art and Design and the proposed new Parliament building.
Lessons for today:
The 1989 article highlights a pivotal moment in the urban transformation of the Kopje area in Harare. The Government recognised that the Kopje area had become outdated and no longer matched the evolving image of Harare. A special development order and a local priority plan were introduced to guide its modernisation.
While encouraging modern buildings, the Government also emphasised the importance of preserving historical and cultural elements, showing the need for thoughtful urban planning.
The decision to locate major institutions like the High Court, ZANU PF headquarters and the Harare International Conference Centre in the area was meant to stimulate development and attract further investment.
According to the 2025 Harare Master Plan, the city has prioritised revitalising inner-city areas, including Kopje, through spatial planning, infrastructure upgrades, and economic development. New developments and renovations have been encouraged to modernise the area while improving service delivery and urban aesthetics.
