Bulawayo runs out of land for High density housing

THE Bulawayo City Council says it has "exhausted" all the land for low income housing, in a move likely to alarm desperate home seekers on the backdrop of a ballooning housing waiting list estimated to be over 100,000.

According to the latest council minutes, the local authority said it was only able to avail 2,000 medium and high density stands in the remainder of Umganin Phase IV near Emganwini Township, about 15km south-west of the central business district.

"It's becoming more difficult to buy a residential stand for low income earners in the city. This is due to the fact that high density land has been exhausted," said council.

"The areas identified in terms of the master plan for the city can't be planned and developed as these are still to be incorporated into the city. The process of incorporation is proving very difficult and elusive."

Given the growing population and the rampant rural-urban migration, there is growing demand for accommodation, which analysts blame for the sprouting of illegal settlements and squatter camps such as Ngozi Mine in Richmond and others on the outskirts of Killarney and Trenance suburbs.

Bulawayo is surrounded by Umguza Rural District Council and over the years engagements between the two local authorities over expansion have not been successful.

According to council the proposed housing site lies to the south east of Emganwini Township and south west of Newton West suburb just after Phekiwe River along Plumtree Road, encompassing the Insukamini Zesa substation.

The planning area is bounded by Plumtree Road running from the from the north to the west of the site, Phekiwe River forming the eastern boundary flowing from the south to the north and Woollandale Estate to the south west.

"There are 2,045 proposed residential stands, which comprise 371 high density residential ranging from 300 square metres to 450 square metres in extent and 1,674 medium residential stands with a minimum area of 600 square metres," said council.

The area covers approximately 386,700 hectares and has no existing infrastructure.

However, council plans to connect it to existing sewer and water infrastructure that runs along Phekiwe River within Emganwini Township.

Apart from provision of accommodation, the development of the high-density residential area is expected to among other things create room for development of better social facilities for the people in the city, improved drainage system and planting of fruit and ornamental trees by the new residents.

The council said it would prioritise putting up of roads and other infrastructure before prospective residents start developing their stands.

The new site will have four commercial centres, one neighbourhood shopping centre and three local shopping centres.

There are 21 institutional stands proposed in the plan - three primary schools, one secondary school, 11 places of assembly, one community facility and three cre?ches.

Councillors have endorsed the proposed project and recommended that it be submitted to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for approval.