Informal to formal: Zim’s contested urban transformation

IN the bustling cities and towns of Zimbabwe, a tale of two worlds unfolds. 

While the government’s recent decision to regularise 30 informal settlements across Harare South, Epworth, Caledonia and Bulawayo province marks a pivotal moment in urban policy, signalling a paradigm shift towards formalising these spaces, the path to this transition has been anything but smooth, fraught with challenges and complexities.

This in-depth feature story explores the intricate web of issues surrounding Zimbabwe’s rapid urbanisation, shedding light on the perspectives of development and environmental experts as well as the diverse voices of those living in informal or emerging settlements.

This story is for NewsDay subscribers.