President Mnangagwa has stated that Zimbabwe’s smart cities idea must be implemented in accordance with the country’s newly released climate policy. The government had dispatched a team to the United Arab Emirates, led by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, to investigate how best to fully implement the concept.
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He explained that the goal was to establish climate-resilient architecture and carbon-free towns within Zimbabwe.
Providing Adequate Housing
President Mnangagwa spoke during the opening of 28 staff residences built for government employees as part of the Beitbridge Redevelopment Programme, which aims to convert the border town into a midsize city.
The addition of the residences brings the total number of F14 houses built for government employees in Beitbridge to 52. A storm recently damaged the roofs of around five of the new dwellings and the roofs of many private residences.
In addition, as part of the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Modernisation project, 16 blocks of garden apartments are being built to house 64 families, while another border staff town of 264 is being built.
The government was eyeing the establishment of Zimbabwe’s smart cities at Melfort, just east of Ruwa in Mashonaland East, Chirundu in Mashonaland West, and Figtree in Matabeleland South, according to the President.
Governments had to limit and adapt to the ongoing consequences of climate change, which was partly caused by the First World’s industrial revolution.
President Mnangagwa chastised local officials around the country for failing to provide enough housing.
The government was in the process of mobilizing additional resources to ensure that all stalled national housing projects across the country were completed, achieving the goal of ensuring that all Zimbabweans have access to decent and affordable housing, as outlined in the recently released Zimbabwe human settlements policy.
The government was also implementing innovative construction technology to reduce costs and speed up the construction of more housing units. He emphasized the need for adequate planning and the supply of necessary auxiliary services in home construction.
The commissioning of the dwellings also happened to fall on the United Nation’s World Habitat Day, which was celebrated a little late this year.
