Martin Muleya
Consultations for the Central Business District (CBD) local plan began in earnest yesterday at Mutare hall, with the local authority outlining its intention to expand the town area.
Acting Director of Spartial Planning at City of Mutare, Brian Sango, revealed that council had engaged Kums Planning Consultancy to undertake the project.
Consultant Willougby Zimunya highlighted that the current town area, which had been relying on a 1974 plan for construction and infrastructure development, was in need of an updated master plan to accommodate the growing population and changing economic landscape. According to Zimunya, the 2021 master plan revealed the need for expansion due to the city’s growth and diverse economic activities.
“I think we need to recap back on how we have arrived at this stage and how we intend to move forward. We have arrangements to draw a Mutare Central Business District plan. This plan will lead our city in terms of infrastructure development.
There was a plan in existence that was drawn in 1974 but during the master plan it was noted that it was no longer useful to our current needs as a city. We want to review this plan and adopt one that will reflect on the current settings and what we intend to do in future,” explained Zimunya.
The proposed expansion will see the town area stretching from Sakubva River past Green market, incorporating areas such as the Railway station, part of Darlington residential area (including Carrington Street and Palmerston West) and sections of Robert Mugabe Way. The new CBD will also include areas along Leopold Takawira Street in Murambi suburb and Dawson Street in Yeovil suburb, encompassing the Mutare Remand Prison and Police main camp.
“From Dulys Motors showroom to 11th avenue it was an area specifically for residential flats. But our population is growing. The beauty of residential flats is that they offer accommodation for a lot of people using a small space area. The reason why we said the city should grow by opening spaces in Murambi and Palmerston East we are trying to create an arrangement where a house owner may be allowed to construct cluster houses in his yard. We have spaces where shops were constructed on the ground floor but this new plan is encouraging the construction structures going up,” added Zimunya.
He emphasized that the new city centre plan aimed to create a vibrant economic hub that promotes inclusivity and adheres to the Regional and Town Planning Act. The plan aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 blueprint, which envisions a thriving economy with diverse sectors.
City of Mutare’s efforts to update the master plan is expected to drive growth and development in the city.
