Growing Cities through Sustainable Development

"The right to the city is far more than the individual liberty to access urban resources: it is a right to change ourselves by changing the city," David Harvey. The expansion of our cities is inevitable with the increase in demand for upward mobility. Statistics show that more than half of the world's population lives in cities, and it is predicted that by 2050, more than 70% of the world's population will be living in urban areas.?

Growth in cities comes with an impact on the environment particularly. It is important stakeholders in city planning and property developers take into cognisance the need to design spaces that are sustainable in order to protect the natural environment. The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged the way humanity interacts with the natural environment, as well as the design needs for homes. The work-from-home lifestyle due to lockdowns has reshaped the current structure of employment, education, and consumerism. Therefore urban environments need to be liveable, integrated, environment-friendly and multi-functional.

As a property development company, West Property Zimbabwe focuses on creating a sustainable environment for our communities through building resilient societies and working towards vision 2030 of Zimbabwe’s bright future. This involves creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways. It is also focused on innovative construction technologies with a view to consciously develop its projects in an environmentally sustainable manner.

West Property encourages and has included the use of solar energy, reticulated gas, and water treatment in its developments, all with the goal of reducing carbon footprints and producing eco-friendly houses that are planned and built in accordance with the guidelines to ensure groundwater recharge is enhanced. This is evident in a number of developments around Harare City, notably Pokugara Residential Estate and Millennium Heights Apartments, both of which are located in the heart of Borrowdale. The development's plans include a recreational park with a lake, trees, groomed gardens, and a natural environment sanctuary. Furthermore, staff tree planting activities will be ongoing in order to contribute to higher quality air, soil, and water conservation. Pomona City is a landmark development that serves as an example for what green development could look like.

Large cities propel economic growth; only 600 urban areas contribute 60% of global GDP. Cities consume more than two-thirds of the world's main energy and account for approximately four-fifths of total global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions). It is critical that we design developments that cater to social, economic and environmental needs of our cities.