The
initiatives,
Local
Plan
12
and
Local
Plan
18,
were
presented
during
a
city
meeting
at
the
Small
City
Hall
on
Wednesday,
where
Deputy
Mayor
Edwin
Ndlovu
said
the
plans
mark
a
turning
point
in
Bulawayo’s
efforts
to
create
a
modern,
inclusive
and
business-friendly
city.
“These
plans
are
crucial
as
they
are
now
a
key
tool
for
attracting
investment,”
said
Ndlovu.
“Investors
seek
certainty,
vision
and
clear
regulation
from
government.
A
well-considered
development
plan
sends
a
powerful
message
that
our
city
is
open
for
business
and
ready
for
investment.”
He
said
the
local
plans
reflect
a
long-term
vision
that
will
shape
Bulawayo’s
future
growth.
“By
designating
land
for
modern
industry
and
commercial
hubs,
we
are
effectively
rolling
out
the
red
carpet
for
the
private
sector,”
he
said.
“The
private
sector
is
the
engine
for
local
economic
development.
Local
Plan
12,
for
the
southern
areas,
will
help
unlock
the
immense
potential
of
that
part
of
the
city.
We
can
plan
for
new
economic
facilities,
green
spaces,
and
transport
links
that
connect
residents
to
opportunities
in
our
Central
Business
District.”
Under
Local
Plan
18,
Ndlovu
said
the
city
aims
to
reimagine
a
vibrant,
modern
urban
core
with
a
strong
nightlife
economy
and
mixed-use
spaces.
“These
plans
are
not
only
about
buildings,
but
about
creating
new
jobs,
supporting
entrepreneurs
and
fostering
innovation,”
he
said.
“A
thriving
city
needs
a
thriving
business
community.
These
plans
address
infrastructure,
traffic
management
and
commercial
space
needs,
from
large
corporate
offices
in
the
CBD
to
affordable
starter
units
for
small
businesses
in
the
south.”
Town
Planning
Assistant
Director
Sehlile
Ndlovu
said
the
council’s
goal
is
for
every
part
of
Bulawayo
to
have
a
development
framework
guiding
orderly
growth.
“As
a
city,
our
aim
is
to
have
every
square
metre
covered
by
a
local
plan,”
she
said.
“Local
Plan
18
covers
the
northern
part
of
the
CBD,
from
3rd
Avenue
up
to
Beit
Avenue
and
from
Lobengula
to
Parirenyatwa,
while
Local
Plan
12
focuses
on
the
southern
areas,
including
Newton
West,
Bellevue,
Four
Wings,
and
the
newly
developed
Emganwini.”
According
to
the
Local
Plan
12
Written
Statement,
the
goal
is
to
create
a
spatial
framework
responsive
to
community
needs
while
aligning
with
government
policy.
The
plan
promotes
mixed-use
and
densified
urban
development
to
contain
urban
sprawl
and
improve
economic
vibrancy.
“We
want
to
create
a
vibrant
commercial
transit
corridor
along
major
transportation
routes
to
boost
the
city’s
image
and
promote
compact,
modern
development,”
said
Sibongile
Ndlovu,
a
town
planner
who
presented
the
Local
Plan
12
draft.
“The
goal
is
to
promote
order,
convenience,
economic
growth
and
the
preservation
of
heritage.”
Key
proposals
under
Local
Plan
12
include
developing
a
Truck
Inn
site
along
the
Plumtree
Highway
to
serve
long-haul
drivers,
constructing
a
new
hospital
for
southern
Bulawayo,
and
establishing
a
polytechnic
and
skills
hub
to
address
youth
employment
and
industrial
growth.
The
plan
also
proposes
densified
housing,
a
multi-purpose
stadium,
and
office
parks
to
enhance
service-sector
expansion.
In
the
northern
CBD,
Local
Plan
18
seeks
to
revitalise
dilapidated
areas
and
attract
new
investment
by
reconfiguring
business
zones.
“The
main
objective
is
to
enliven
land-use
zones
within
the
planning
area
to
meet
the
current
demand
and
expectations
of
residents,”
said
Veronica
Ndlovu,
another
town
planner.
“We
want
to
encourage
investment
by
allowing
a
wider
range
of
uses,
promote
high-rise
buildings,
and
create
higher-value
properties
in
a
part
of
the
city
that
currently
appears
rundown.”
The
plan
also
aims
to
upgrade
essential
infrastructure,
including
water,
sewerage,
electricity,
internet
and
telecommunication
services,
and
improve
the
road
network
for
efficient
transport
flow
“Protecting
the
environment
as
a
life-support
system
from
unsustainable
modification
is
one
of
our
priorities,”
said
Veronica
Ndlovu.
“We
want
to
ensure
that
development
balances
progress
with
conservation.”