Bulawayo delegation attends World Urban Forum, highlights housing and infrastructure needs

Bulawayo delegation attends World Urban Forum, highlights housing and infrastructure needs

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The City of Bulawayo is presenting its housing and urban development agenda at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, as Zimbabwe joins global discussions on sustainable solutions to growing urban challenges.

The international forum is being held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”. Bulawayo is exhibiting alongside other urban local authorities and Government ministries through the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities at the Zimbabwe Pavilion, under the sub-theme “Housing Zimbabwe: Building Resilient Communities for the Future”.

Bulawayo’s delegation includes Acting Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, the Town Clerk and the Town Planning Director. In an interview from Baku, Cllr Ndlovu said the trip offers the city a platform to share experiences and learn from international best practice on sustainable urban development.

“The Bulawayo team comprising the Acting Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, the Town Clerk and Town Planning Director is in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum being held under the theme; ‘Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities’,” he said.

He said discussions at WUF13 are focusing on building inclusive and resilient urban settlements able to withstand social, environmental and economic pressures.

Cllr Ndlovu pointed to national policy work aimed at improving housing and settlement planning, including the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy, launched in 2020. “The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe officially launched the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy in 2020, creating a framework for coordinated housing and settlement development,” he said.

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However, he said infrastructure backlogs remain a major hurdle for local authorities across the country, especially in water, sewer systems, roads and public lighting.

“Zimbabwe has 92 local authorities, composed of 32 urban local authorities and 60 rural local authorities. In all these local authorities there is a huge deficit of offsite infrastructure, particularly for water and sewer treatment and transmission as well as proper roads and public lighting. The high urbanisation rate has put a strain on existing infrastructure, some of which has outlived its useful life expectancy,” said Cllr Ndlovu.

He also highlighted issues of land governance and tenure security in urban development. “In Zimbabwe, land for human settlements development is owned by Central Government, local authorities and the private sector,” he said.

On housing affordability, Cllr Ndlovu said Bulawayo runs programmes meant to improve access for lower-income residents. “Bulawayo provides social housing, which is generally regarded as affordable. Land for high-density areas is sold at intrinsic value rather than market price. Prices vary according to location. The private sector, who are the main drivers of housing delivery, normally dispose of land at market value,” he said.

He cited national housing patterns from the 2022 Population and Housing Census Report, which recorded a home ownership rate of 58,6 percent and rental housing at 19,3 percent—figures he said reflect both a strong home ownership culture and continuing demand for alternative housing options.

Bulawayo has faced pressure in recent years to modernise infrastructure amid service delivery challenges, including water shortages and ageing sewer systems. City officials said engagement at WUF13 is expected to expose the delegation to global approaches to housing delivery, urban renewal and resilient infrastructure systems, while also providing a platform to market Zimbabwe’s urban development ambitions.

The World Urban Forum brings together policymakers, planners, development experts and local authorities, and is regarded as a leading global platform on sustainable urbanisation.

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