The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched a 2-year project for Formulation of Comprehensive Regional Development Plan for Greater Lusaka in August, 2023.
Despite the ongoing rapid urbanization beyond Lusaka city limits, a Regional Development Plan (RDP) to control development does not exist, hence the urgent need to formulate the Comprehensive Regional Development Plan for Greater Lusaka targeting the year 2045. This plan will be the very first RDP under the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015 and is expected to be the guiding principle to develop “Greater Lusaka.” The plan will cover Lusaka City and parts of its surrounding four districts of Chongwe, Kafue, Chilanga and Chibombo, into a sustainable city with improved living conditions.
The JICA Expert Team held the 1st Public Workshop last November in 9 places in Greater Lusaka, inviting opinions of various residents. Approximately 1,200 participants gave over 5,700 opinions on the current challenges and future expectations in Greater Lusaka. According to the residents’ opinions, the biggest problem in Greater Lusaka is transportation, which accounts for 15% of the total opinion, particularly concerning the quality of roads, road network, and traffic congestion. Furthermore, public hygiene, such as sanitation and general waste, was the next most common problem, accounting for 11% of the total.
Based on the results of the 1st Public Workshop, the JICA Expert Team created development scenarios to tackle the various development issues raised by the residents, which included the future urban structure, urban density and road network.
In July, 2024, the 2nd Consultation Workshop was held to assess and discuss the environmental impact of the development scenarios and the development vision for the future Greater Lusaka. A total number of 290 participants attended the 7-day workshop, including a maximum of 5 representatives from each of the 69 Ward Development Committees, Academia, and NGOs. The main themes discussed in the workshop were pollution, waste management, employment and poverty, health and resettlement. For instance, under the theme of pollution, participants specifically discussed air, noise, soil and water pollution. Additionally, many pointed out the potential for damage and adverse impacts of air, water, and soil pollution from industrial areas. This is due to the current factory zone being located too close to residential areas, and many urged to move such zones to areas slightly farther from the residential zone.
Based on the workshops and multiple surveys, the JICA Expert Team selected the best development scenario at last month’s JCC meeting. The Project is currently in the phase of formulating the RDP to materialize the development scenarios and development vision. The latest project activities can be found on the project’s Facebook page.
Issued by: JICA Expert Team
Date: October 17, 2024
