The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) recently presented its comprehensive Local Development Plan Number 12, setting the strategic roadmap for the systematic transformation and growth of the city’s south-western area. This pivotal plan outlines significant infrastructure projects aimed at boosting social services, enhancing sports facilities, and improving residential amenities in the rapidly expanding district.
Local Development Plan Number 12 is designed to guide land use, zoning, and infrastructure provision over the next decade in the identified south-west zone. The plan’s emphasis is on creating sustainable, well-serviced communities that can accommodate Bulawayo’s growing urban population while ensuring access to essential municipal services.
A centrepiece of the ambitious development blueprint is the planned construction of a major new hospital. This facility will be crucial for decentralizing healthcare provision and reducing the strain on existing central medical institutions, ensuring that residents in the south-west—and surrounding areas—have timely access to critical medical care. The inclusion of a state-of-the-art hospital aligns with the council’s broader goal of enhancing the public health infrastructure across the metropolitan area.
In addition to healthcare, the plan includes provisions for a significant investment in leisure and sports, with proposals for the development of a modern stadium. This new venue is envisioned as a central hub for sporting activities, community events, and cultural gatherings. The stadium is expected to serve not only the immediate local community but also contribute to the city’s capacity to host national and regional sporting fixtures, potentially boosting local tourism and economic activity.
Beyond these major facilities, Local Development Plan Number 12 addresses the foundational needs of the area, earmarking land for residential expansion, new commercial centres, and the necessary supporting infrastructure like roads, water reticulation, and sanitation systems. The council’s focus is on ensuring a phased and coordinated development approach, moving away from ad hoc expansion towards a meticulously planned urban environment. The successful implementation of this plan is set to significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of residents and solidify Bulawayo’s status as a well-managed urban centre in Zimbabwe.
