THE government has accused some town planners of aiding illegal land subdivision and construction on wetlands, warning that the trend is driving the proliferation of unserviced informal settlements.
At the heart of the issue, authorities say, is a network of planners allegedly colluding with “land barons” to bypass regulations, fuelling dysfunctional settlements that lack basic services — threatening Zimbabwe’s urban development and the attainment of Vision 2030.
The revelation came during the Spatial Planners Interface Workshop held in Harare yesterday, which brought spatial planners together to engage directly with officials from the Local Government and Public Works ministry and review progress in the spatial planning sector.
Addressing delegates, Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe expressed deep concern over irregular land subdivision, which he said has led to settlements that violated the law and lacked basic utilities.
“It is alleged that town planners are assisting the so-called landowners. This practice should stop,” he said.
He emphasised that such challenges should be treated as temporary and tackled decisively.
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“Let us play a part in reshaping our urban areas. Land barons are not part of the planning and development process,” Garwe said.
He positioned spatial planning as central to Zimbabwe’s transformation agenda, urging planners to take a proactive role in dismantling illegal settlements and redesigning urban spaces.
“Through providing solutions to these challenges, as well as creating the foundations of evidence, renewal and smart cities, the ministry is empowering local authorities to deliver goods and services to the citizens,” he said.
Garwe also called for targeted programmes to regularise dysfunctional settlements and upgrade older townships such as Makokoba, Sakubva and Rimuka.
Garwe challenged planners to take a more proactive and accountable role in land management and urban development.
“Planners have the duty to identify land for programmes and plan accordingly. I, therefore, call upon each of you to engage us where you are facing challenges in implementing these schemes,” he said.
Meanwhile, spatial planners outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform Zimbabwe’s urban landscape by 2030, targeting the elimination of illegal settlements and the creation of modern, climate-resilient cities.
Shingirayi Mushamba chief director for spatial planning and development said planners were responsible for delivering climate-resilient, environmentally- friendly infrastructure, including technology and energy systems.
“Our winning aspirations include zero illegal, dysfunctional settlements by 2030,” he said.
“All old, dilapidated and obsolete areas should be transformed to smart modern settlements.
“A more important aspect is the mandatory climate-proofed built environments with beautification and greening of public places.”
Mushamba said dysfunctional settlements, often caused by land barons, stood in the way of the attainment of Vision 2030 and must be addressed.
Also addressing the workshop, permanent secretary John Basera emphasised the need for organised, properly planned settlements and development, calling on local authorities to strengthen planning departments and funding frameworks to support urban renewal and regularisation efforts.
"As a ministry, we came up with the call to action wherein we directed all the local authorities to upscale and to capacitate planning departments so that we have properly planned developments and settlements.
“Issues around properly planned settlements and planned development are key. Issues around urban renewal, urban regeneration or urban transformation are significant in that respect as we journey as a sector towards the achievement of Vision 2030,” he said.