The decision by the government is in response to the sharp rise in Harare’s population. Old figures indicate that the capital is home to about 1.5m people, but unofficial estimates put the figure at more than four million.
Harare City Council’s Environment Management Committee has approved the gazetted new boundaries which incorporate Rumani Farm (494.7 ha), Acorn Farm (744.5ha), Echo Farm (972.7ha) and Chirika Extension Farm (116.0ha).
Also gazette for expansion are: Lot J of Borrowdale Estate (657.7ha), Gurlyn Burton Farm (48.8ha) and Caledonia Farm (2 638.9 ha).
The council, through the Department of Urban Planning Services, was consulting on the state of the farms.
“The Director of Urban Planning Services reported that most of the farms were not developed. He was further requested to submit the status of each farm in liaison with the urban settlement in terms of what percentage of land had been allocated and what was left,” read the council minutes.
It is most likely that the council will use the farms for residential purposes as the city’s stands waiting list has a backlog of over a million.
Post published in: News