By: Mayamiko Phiri.
Blantyre city council has taken a bold step towards transforming the city’s landscape by 2039 by hosting a two – day stakeholder consultations meeting to draft a comprehensive urban structure plan.
This crucial initiative aims to regulate urban development, address pressing challenges, and create a sustainable resilent, and thriving urban environment for future generations.
The meeting, held on April 25 – 26, brought together experts and stakeholders from various fields to share their insight and expertise.
According to Blantyre city council director of town planning and estate services Costly Chanza, the city has faced numerous disasters, social, and economic challenges due to unregulated urbanization, environmental degradation and inadequate infrastructure.
“Our previous plan was last reviewed in 2000 and we have had to conduct short-term reviews since then.
It’s time for long-term plan to guide our development and address the pressing issues we are facing.” Chanza emphasized.
The proposed urban structure plan is designed to tackle those challenges head-on, with innovative developments such as incentives and expediting permit process for high-rise building developers, investment in modern water supply and electricity infrastructure, bus rapid transit systems, sewage networks, and road expansion and rehabilitation.
Senior urban planning specialist John Chome, from GK works and urban Dynamics joints venture, explained that the meeting aimed to draft a new urban structure plan that prioritizes sustainability, resilient and inclusivity.
The proposed plan is a game- changer for Blantyre, offering a fresh vision for the city’s future.
