Chitungwiza’s Land Depletion Crisis The once-thriving satellite town of Chitungwiza, located on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe, is facing a critical shortage of land. The municipality has long struggled with informal settlements and haphazard urban expansion, which have now exhausted its available land reserves. According to the Chitungwiza Municipality’s town clerk, Dr. Tonderai Kasu, the town has run out of serviced land for housing development. The situation has been exacerbated by the influx of people from rural areas seeking refuge in the urban centers. “We are now faced with a crisis where we do not have any more land for new housing projects,” Kasu said. “This has serious implications for the growth and development of Chitungwiza.” The land shortage is particularly acute in the suburb of Unit L, where there are over 4,000 housing units in the informal settlement of Zengeza 4, which has no basic amenities such as water, sanitation, or electricity. The municipality has been struggling to relocate residents to serviced land but has met with resistance from homeowners who fear losing their property. The lack of available land is also hampering the construction of new schools, clinics, and other public facilities. It is estimated that Chitungwiza needs at least 10,000 housing units per year to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. The municipality is exploring various options to address the land shortage, including land acquisition from private developers and densification of existing residential areas. However, these measures are unlikely to provide a long-term solution to the problem. The crisis in Chitungwiza highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive land use plan and efficient land management strategies to ensure sustainable urban development in Zimbabwe. The municipality and the central government must work together to address this issue before it leads to further social and economic problems.Chitungwiza Municipality Seeks Expansion Due to Land ShortageChitungwiza Municipality Seeks Expansion Due to Land Shortage Chitungwiza Municipality, located in Zimbabwe, has depleted its available land for residential, recreational, and industrial development. To address this issue, the municipality is proposing to expand into surrounding land in Manyame Rural District Council. The scarcity of land has resulted from the town’s rapid growth and development. The municipality’s weakened planning and housing structures have also contributed to the proliferation of land barons. “The population boom in the city caused by development has led to a land shortage in Chitungwiza,” said Wycliff Mutambanengwe, Masterplan Principal Planner. “For development, we need to consider six farms in Nyatsime as part of our master plan.” This master plan, which will be valid until 2034, aims to guide the municipality’s future land use and development. It includes the expansion into Nyatsime farms. However, former ZANU PF Ward 3 Councilor John Matiyenga suggested that the council should explore development beyond Chitungwiza’s boundaries. “We no longer have land to develop here in Chitungwiza and we support the idea of ​​expanding into Manyame Rural District Council,” he said. The municipality is racing to meet the June 30 deadline for the submission of the master plan, as mandated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Chitungwiza Faces Land Crisis Chitungwiza Municipality has reportedly run out of land for residential, commercial, and industrial development, raising concerns about the town’s future growth prospects. According to the municipality’s latest planning report, the town has been experiencing a rapid population increase in recent years, putting a strain on its limited land resources. “The municipality is now constrained in terms of land for housing, commercial, and industrial development,” the report states. “This is a major concern as it limits our ability to meet the needs of our growing population.” The land shortage has also resulted in an increase in housing prices and a shortage of affordable housing options for low-income residents. “The cost of land has become exorbitant, making it difficult for people to afford decent housing,” said a local resident. “We are appealing to the government to intervene and help us solve this problem.” The municipality is exploring various options to address the land crisis, including reviewing its land use policies and identifying new areas for development. “We are committed to finding solutions to this issue and ensuring that Chitungwiza continues to grow and prosper,” said the mayor of Chitungwiza.