City reviews CBD plan

HARARE City Council is reviewing the City Centre Local Development Plan No 22 to ensure that it reflects current socio-economic realities and to facilitate general rejuvenation, regeneration and revitalisation of its economy.

Council is targeting areas like land uses vis-avis commercial, residential, health and education, public buildings, industrial and open spaces.

“The City of Harare resolved to review the City Centre Local Development Plan No 22 as referenced in the Harare Environmental Management Committee Minutes (Minute Item no. 7) dated 13 May 2013 in pursuance of the City of Harare’s Vision to achieve World Class City Status by 2025,” reads a notice by director of Works Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama.

“In reviewing this planning statutory instrument, the city aims to come up with a new instrument that is robust to facilitate general rejuvenation, regeneration and revitalisation of the city’s economy.” The city will also target infrastructure provision with specific focus on roads and storm water drainage, water and sanitation, communications systems, power supply and rail functionality.

“Service provision will magnify on traffic and transportation, parking, development control, concerted organisation of small and medium enterprises and informal sector activities, security and waste management,” said Mr Zvenyika.

“Tourism will concretise on areas of outstanding natural beauty, recreational areas and wetlands maintenance and beautification.”

Town planner and local governance expert Mr Percy Toriro on Monday said it was an important activity, as the city’s current plan regulating activities in the CBD was last reviewed about 20 years ago.