Harare finalises master plan

SAMANTHA MADE AND CLOUDINE MATOLA

Harare City Council is finalising a comprehensive new master plan, with full government approval expected before the end of the year, marking a crucial milestone in reshaping the capital’s development trajectory.

The city’s Chief Planner, James Mazvimba, confirmed the progress during an interview at the Zimbabwe Real Estate Public Lecture, noting that key groundwork—including data collection and study reports—has already been completed.

“We should be through with the master plan in the shortest possible time. On the 2nd of July, we are going to have a validation process with the government,” Mazvimba said. “In terms of timelines, it shouldn’t take long. By year-end, we expect to have a functional, approved master plan document.”

He said the plan formulation is now at an advanced stage, with around 80% of the written statement complete. The current focus is on drafting development proposals, guided by input from local authorities.

“We are now at the proposal stage, shaping our own master plan. The data collection and study reports are done. Now it’s about refining proposals and moving towards finalisation,” he said.

The initiative follows a national directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who mandated all local authorities to develop new master plans to replace outdated frameworks. Harare’s existing plan, crafted in 1994, no longer reflects the city’s current realities.

“The call to action by His Excellency was about addressing the outdatedness of our plans. In Harare, the 1994 document still guides development, despite the city’s vast changes since then. This master plan is our effort to reset and realign,” Mazvimba explained.

He added that the upcoming plan will tackle land use designation, transportation systems, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability—all anchored in the goal of transforming Harare into a world-class city.

Once the plan is fully drafted, residents will be invited to review and contribute feedback before the final document is approved.

“After formulating the master plan, we’ll present it to residents. They’ll get a chance to review our proposals and suggest additions or corrections. If certain areas have been overlooked, the public will be able to raise those concerns,” Mazvimba said.

He described the plan as a vital tool for coordinating urban growth and eliminating conflicting developments.

“A master plan guides and coordinates development. It helps ensure consistency and order in urban planning. Without it, you get the discord and disjointed development patterns we often see,” he said.

With the government validation process scheduled for early July and public consultations to follow, Harare’s new master plan is poised to provide the long-overdue blueprint needed to support a sustainable and structured urban future.