New settlements face stricter planning standards

Oliver Kazunga

Senior Reporter

STRICT enforcement of urban planning standards and density controls is being stepped up by the Government to protect families’ lifetime investments, prevent demolitions of improperly constructed houses and attract diaspora investment into the country’s housing sector.

Speaking at the Engineered to Endure Conference in Harare yesterday, Engineer Clive Marimo from the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities said all new settlements must comply with approved planning standards, density controls and infrastructure requirements.

He said orderly human settlements would reduce investment risks and prevent families from losing houses built using their hard-earned savings.

“We want to avoid situations where we have our hard-earned lifetime savings being moved because we have constructed where there were no planning standards,” said Eng Marimo.

He said Zimbabweans living abroad were more likely to invest in housing if their properties were protected from risks associated with developments that violate planning regulations.

“We have got a lot of our relatives and friends in the diaspora, and they will not invest where their risk of investment is high”.

Eng Marimo said the ministry’s mandate was to deliver sustainable and inclusive housing solutions in line with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the National Human Settlements Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said inclusivity meant ensuring that sustainable housing benefited all sections of society, leaving no one behind.

Government is also promoting private sector participation through public-private partnerships to accelerate housing delivery while ensuring compliance with planning standards.

Eng Marimo said authorities were encouraging vertical development in suitable areas instead of urban sprawl, which puts pressure on agricultural land.

“We are encouraging building a way up instead of spreading. Why? Because we don’t want to keep on competing with farmers in terms of land,” he said.

Eng Marimo cited Aspindale Flats in Harare and Dombotombo Flats in Marondera as examples of developments built in line with approved planning standards, density controls and infrastructure requirements.

On sustainable construction, Eng Marimo said Zimbabwe could draw lessons from the country’s architectural heritage, particularly Great Zimbabwe, to reduce construction-related carbon emissions.

He said the monument demonstrated the durability of stone construction without relying on cement.

Eng Marimo said new settlements should maximise natural lighting and ventilation, incorporate rooftop solar systems with battery storage, and promote the use of locally sourced timber and recycled steel.

He also called for localised water supply systems and permeable pavements to improve water security and reduce flooding.

Proper construction and continuous maintenance, Eng Marimo said, could lower structural risks, reduce insurance costs and prevent minor defects from developing into expensive rehabilitation projects.

He warned that environmental requirements were likely to become increasingly important in property financing, urging Zimbabwe to prepare for emerging green building standards.

Meanwhile, Government has surpassed its target of delivering 220 000 housing units under the National Development Strategy 1 and has set a new target of one million units by 2030 as the country pursues its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income society.

Source: New settlements face stricter planning standards – herald

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