Zimpapers Logo

Herald Correspondent

Borehole companies are mushrooming in Harare especially along Samora Machel Avenue in Belvedere and Eastlea with many houses converting to commercial use.

Underground water obstruction in the city has impacted negatively on wetlands and has been attributed to the water challenges currently being experienced in Harare.

Rentals in Belvedere have become exorbitant due to the commercial rentals being charged.

The roads are being damaged due to the movements of the big trucks which are moving in residential areas and cases of robberies are reportedly on the increase.

Harare City Council has said they have embraced the development of business corridors that have seen properties located to mains roads being converted for commercial use.

Acting council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said economic corridors were meant to attract and bring business to the city.

“As council we have embraced the development of corridors along major land use-traffic and transportation corridors as a key development strategy, one of such corridors is the Samora Machel Avenue East-West,” he said.

“The economic corridors are meant to attract investment and generate economic activities within a contiguous region, on the foundation of an efficient transportation system. They are meant to provide two important inputs for competitiveness, lower distribution costs and promote high-quality real estate.”

Mr Ruwende said the corridor approach for cluster development in cities primarily takes advantage of the existence of proven, inherent and underutilised economic development potential within the region.

“It is intended to create clusters of retail, office, high-residential apartments, vehicle showrooms, corporate offices, professional offices, hotels and lodges, medical facilities and technology and innovation hubs among others.

“The Samora Machel Avenue East-West economic corridor has been unlocked through the Greendale Local Development Plan where properties with direct frontage to Mutare Road have been rezoned to commercial and light industrial uses,” he said.