Rusape in urban renewal drive

RUSAPE Town Council has embarked on an ambitious urban renewal plan in which it will raze all old structures in Vengere and replace them with modern high-rising flats and shopping malls.

The initiative will be implemented in line with the Government’s plan to renew all aging urban infrastructure.

Some council and privately properties in Vengere were built more than five decades ago and no longer suitable for human occupation.

Rusape town secretary Mr Solomon Gabaza told The Manica Post on Wednesday that the renewal process will be done in partnership with the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP).

“We are going to have a serious urban renewal process in Vengere high density area in line with the Government’s ongoing smart cities policy.

“We are going to carry out urban renewal in old sections of Vengere with the first priority being all council-owned properties that we will destroy and replace with state-ofthe-art high-rising structures.

The flats are going to be constructed on council owned hostels which are now dilapidated and unsafe for human occupation. The new structures will be aesthetic, modern and spacious as opposed to the current ones which are overcrowded.

“Vengere beerhall will be turned into modern shopping mall since it has outlived its purpose. The plans and designs are already in place and we are tying up some loose ends with UDCORP.

“We would like to applaud property owners in the R, B and G sections of Vengere who are pulling down and replacing the old structures with modern ones. It is not council’s sole responsibility to renew the town, but every property owner,” said Mr Gabaza.

Rusape is one of the fastest growing urban settlements in the country and now earmarked for municipal status.