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Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT has emphasised the need to densify existing settlements to curb the increasing demand for land, which has led to housing developments encroaching on productive agricultural areas, threatening national food security.

Speaking at a plenary session during the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Confex (Africonfex) in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Engineer Theodius Chinyanga, warned that Zimbabwe risks becoming a nation “full of houses but without food” if strategic measures are not implemented to protect agricultural land.

He underscored that if Zimbabwe is to uphold its status as an agricultural-based economy, safeguarding farmland must take precedence over expanding housing developments.

“In the Human Settlement Policy that we are moving with, we are promoting densification. By densification we mean, you can have a multiple-story building in Makokoba and still be comfortable.

“That will be easier for the Government to bring in water because water is already there than to start a new development and expect the same Government to look for money to provide the same services,” said Eng Chinyanga.

He highlighted that Zimbabwe’s housing projects must be built with sustainability in mind, prioritising land conservation.

AfriConfex workshop

“The running point is that we need to conserve the land for these housing projects to be sustainable, before we talk about clusters let’s talk about land. There is nothing wrong in living in apartments,” said Eng Chinyanga.

The AfriConfex conference, which began on Wednesday and concludes today, is running under the theme “Resilient Cities, Thriving Africa: Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Growth.”

The event has brought together experts to deliberate on key topics such as the role of industry and innovation, sustainable urban planning, climate action, and partnerships essential for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The discussions include a focus on technological advancements, human-centred innovation in real estate, and financing models for infrastructure development.
Eng Chinyanga noted that developers frequently approach him seeking more land for housing construction. He cited the example of Gletwyn Farm in Harare, once a productive potato farm, now allocated for housing projects.

“If this trend continues, soon we will be importing maize while living in large houses. We are upgrading existing settlements to increase density and reduce pressure on agricultural land,” said Eng Chinyanga.

In his remarks on innovation, Eng Chinyanga acknowledged the importance of technology in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure growth but cautioned against adopting costly advancements that may not be suitable for local conditions.

“Our Human Settlement Policy also supports smart cities, but we need to take elements of smart cities which we can afford and that is not objectionable to people,” he explained.

Eng Chinyanga further stressed the need for citizens to pay for services provided by the Government, adding that many are leaving rural farms to engage in informal trading in urban areas, which undermines food production.

“We have people rushing to cities to do informal trading, leaving farms unattended. So in our policy, we say let’s initiate settlement growth in growth points,” he said.

The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities estimates the national housing backlog at around two million units. Last year, the Government reported reaching 71 percent of its housing delivery target, completing 156 000 units out of the projected 220 000 by 2025.