Lusaka City Council - The Big Picture

THE initiatives Lusaka City Council (LCC) is taking to improve the outlook of the capital city are quite impressive.

If the council continues implementing the programmes and more, we can surely see Lusaka becoming a livable city and transforming itself into the ‘Greater City’ it is supposed to be.

The initiatives include the construction of a US$45million ring road expected to begin in June. The road will help to decongest the capital.

The ring roads will be built at the same time as shopping malls. The city council spokesperson says about 14 shopping malls will be constructed on the outskirts of the city and along the ring road.

The ring road and shopping malls would help to reduce by 45 percent, patronage of the central business district (CBD) and curb traffic congestion.

The construction of shopping malls along the ring road will not only create employment but also help to “free” the CBD as people living on the outskirts will not have to venture into town for shopping.

The construction of the ring road will also reinforce the ban on heavy duty vehicles passing through the CBD.

The other initiatives include the promotion of modern housing development in some unplanned settlements including Chibolya and Misisi. Some makeshift houses will be demolished to pave way for modern housing estates.

In Chibolya, a consortium of real estate developers are expected to put up 178 maissonettes.

Tafika residential estate commercial centre, made up of Hawkwood Property Investment Limited, Pan African building Society and Knight Frank will build the maissonnettes at a total cost of US$11 million.

The consortium has already spent US$4 million on the project and phase one is expected to be completed in July.

Tafika is a dual development concept. A residential townhouse complex will be built alongside a medium size commercial centre close to Lusaka’s CBD. Tafika is situated along Los Angeles Road.

Tafika will provide secure, simple, affordable and convenient living in close proximity to the Lusaka CBD and the commercial centre to add a convenient, new dimension rarely found in Lusaka.

The project is also incorporated in the Lusaka Master Plan, a comprehensive urban development plan which is expected to guide the development of the city.

What is inspiring about the project is that it will not only contribute to boosting the housing stock and help to address the shortfall in decent and affordable accommodation. It will also help to change the face of Lusaka, especially around the CBD.

The other notable and impressive measure is encouraging investors to provide for elevated or basement parking in their building plans to reduce congestion in the CBD.

Without the specified provisions, the council is not approving building plans. This is one way the city fathers hope to decongest the city.

The positive steps will help to improve Lusaka and hopefully restore its glory.

The Lusaka Master Plan which is a milestone in the development of the city.

Through the master plan, the government plans to improve environmental standards by upgrading peri-urban areas into modern ones.

While giving credit where it is due, I would also like to remind LCC of its civic duty to stop street vending which is almost getting out of hand.
The congested roads are being choked by street vendors who have ‘invaded’ almost all the roads in the CBD.

This is not only a social nuisance but also a risk. Lives could be lost through road traffic accidents.
The council should not wait until the fateful day when some motorist might plough into a crowd of vendors.

What has happened to the political will that was once exhibited when the Ministry of Local Government and Housing in conjunction with the city, municipal and district councils moved vendors from the streets and took them to designated places?

A semblance of sanity had returned to the cities and towns and most people breathed a sigh of relief.
But the vendors have returned with a vengeance, occupying every imaginable vacant space to display their wares.

In the name of ‘survival,’ the army of street vendors is blatantly disobeying and abrogating the laws that provide for designated places of trading.

While I acknowledge the economic hardships, the majority of the poor are going through and their entrepreneurial spirit, I still believe that this does not justify the willful disregard for law.
Order is still important even under these circumstances.

Street vending has once again resurfaced not only in Lusaka but almost all the cities and municipalities.
I am urging the ministry of Local Government and Housing, LCC and other city and municipal councils to once again, get rid of the street vendors and work out a permanent solution to this problem.