PLANNING FOR RESILIENT LAKESIDE TOWNS

THE CASE OF KARIBA TOWN MASTER PLAN PROCESS, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Kariba Town, in the west of Zimbabwe, is one of the most important urban settlements in the country. The town is situated on the border with Zambia; it has a thriving tourism sector, with people drawn mainly to the Kariba Dam. The town has a very dynamic fishing industry, supplying both fresh and dried fish to the rest of the country and beyond. However, the town is crucially important for both Zimbabwe and Zambia because of the hydroelectric power plant that provides most of the electricity requirements for both countries. With all these key responsibilities bestowed on the town, there is need to ensure that the spatial and strategic planning processes for the town adequately addresses all the components that allow the town and residents to continue to function. In November 2023, the President of Zimbabwe issued out a Call to Action - No Compromise on Service Delivery. The Action was made in the context of deteriorating service delivery by local authorities, initially urban and then also the rural authorities. This paper describes the planning process that guided the response to the call to action. It consists mainly of a desk review. The main finding from the paper is that master planning provides an opportunity for holistic and integrated planning and development, especially for multifunctional coastal or lakeside towns. The key conclusion and recommendation is that all the provisions of the Kariba Town master plan should be implemented and adhered to.