THE United Nations estimates that by 2050, 68% of the global population will live in urban areas.
Urbanisation transforms natural habitats into urban settings, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, which undermines ecosystems and results in biodiversity loss.
Many species cannot adapt to urban environments, risking local extinction and the establishment of invasive species that threaten native ecosystems. Some of these have become a common feature along the Mukuvisi River in Harare (pictured) and other small cities and towns.
One way to address this challenge is by incorporating ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles into urban planning, ensuring that investments prioritise biodiversity preservation and the mitigation of invasive species threats. Zimbabwe can leverage on its existing legislation, the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act [10:31].
ESG principles serve as a framework for evaluating the sustainability and societal impact of urban investments. As urbanisation often causes environmental degradation, including pollution and habitat destruction, the environmental aspect of ESG is crucial for mitigating such effects.
The social component emphasises the creation of inclusive urban spaces that prioritise human well-being, addressing issues like affordable housing and access to services. Effective governance is essential for transparency and accountability in decision-making, which is vital for managing urban environments. By incorporating ESG principles, cities can develop sustainable urban solutions that mitigate climate impacts, while promoting equity and resilience against future risks.
According to research by Zurich Insurance (2023), more than 50% of people living in the urban areas are unprepared for climate change impacts.
Given that cities are the focal points of most development, the sustainability of urban development is critical to achieving sustainable development overall.
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SDG 11 has 10 targets and 15 indicators that cover various aspects of urban development, such as affordable housing, urbanisation, public transportation, green spaces, pollution and disaster resilience.
Sustainable practices are, therefore, essential for urban environments as they will promote resource efficiency by reducing waste, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing pollution.
By creating green jobs, sustaining small businesses and providing equitable access to essential services, these strategies also promote social equity. Sustainable urban spaces are also more resilient to both natural disasters and climate-induced risks.
Zimbabwe faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities in relation to SDG 11. Rapid urbanisation and the growing number of informal settlements have proved to be a tremendous challenge. Zimbabwe’s urban population has increased significantly, particularly in major cities like Harare with similar trend becoming evident in small town too.
This is driven by rural-to-urban migration in search of better economic opportunities. Many new urban dwellers end up in informal settlements that lack access to essential services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and healthcare.
These settlements frequently experience severe overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and improper waste disposal management systems.
Zimbabwe also faces a severe housing deficit, with the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities estimating an urban housing backlog of approximately two million units. The price of land and building materials is prohibitively high for most citizens, and many cannot access affordable housing finance.
Although there have been efforts to upgrade informal settlements, much work remains to provide residents with better housing and infrastructure.
To add, public transportation in Zimbabwe, particularly in cities, is often inadequate, unreliable and poorly managed. The growth of the informal transport sector (such as commuter omnibuses) has resulted in unregulated services with safety and environmental concerns.
Improving the transportation infrastructure and access to affordable, sustainable transport systems is crucial for meeting SDG 11. Zimbabwe is vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones, exacerbated by climate change, as highlighted by the drought experienced during 2023/24 season.
The country needs to improve urban resilience by building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events. Disaster preparedness and response, especially in urban settings, are critical in building resilient communities.
In major cities, the development of green spaces and public parks is limited, which affects the overall quality of life. However, La Mexicana Park in Mexico City demonstrates that this is possible, as it has excelled in conservation through its rainwater collection system, which repurposes rainwater for irrigation and cleaning.
For SDG 11 to be fully realised in Zimbabwe, economic growth that promotes inclusive and sustainable urban development is necessary. Urban areas must have opportunities for employment and improved livelihoods, especially in marginalised communities.
ESG principles related to the environment can directly address issues like climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, contributing to more sustainable cities.
Sustainable urban development must consider resilience to climate change. Integrating green building standards and energy-efficient designs in both public and private developments can reduce carbon footprints. This involves promoting the use of renewable energy, energy-efficient building materials and sustainable construction practices.
Waste management and recycling are critical ESG components. Zimbabwe’s urban areas, especially Harare, struggle with waste disposal, but ESG-driven initiatives like the Geo-Pomona can encourage cities to adopt circular economy models, where waste is minimised, and materials are reused and recycled. This is exemplified by the Danish deposit and return system for recycling canned drinks and bottles. Such approaches reduce landfill waste, mitigate pollution and conserves resources.
ESG principles also emphasise the importance of water management. Given Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to droughts, sustainable water usage practices — such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and the development of efficient irrigation systems — are essential for both urban and rural areas.
ESG encourages urban planners to incorporate green spaces like parks, urban forests, and community gardens in city layouts. These spaces help to combat urban heat islands, improve air quality and offer recreational areas for residents.
The social component of ESG focuses on creating inclusive and equitable urban environments where all individuals, especially marginalised groups, can thrive. For Zimbabwe, which faces significant poverty and inequality, the social aspect of ESG is crucial.
As the urban population grows, the demand for affordable housing becomes even more critical. ESG-driven urban policies could promote not only the development of inclusive, low-cost housing and the upgrading of informal settlements but also improve access to essential services like healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
These initiatives would ensure that low-income communities have access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing while also improving their overall quality of life and opportunities for advancement.
Sustainable urban growth includes ensuring that essential services, such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and public transport — are accessible to all citizens.
ESG principles push for public-private partnerships to address infrastructure deficits and improve access to these services in underserved communities. Integrating social equity into urban planning can support poverty reduction through community-driven development programmes.
For instance, social housing, skills training for unemployed youth, and healthcare initiatives can be designed with a focus on inclusivity and improving the well-being of disadvantaged urban populations.
Strong governance underpins the effective implementation of ESG initiatives. In Zimbabwe, good governance in urban management is essential for achieving sustainable urban development.
The governance aspect of ESG focuses on transparency, ethical leadership, and the effective implementation of policies. Effective governance ensures that urban planning processes are transparent and inclusive.
This means involving local communities in decision-making and ensuring that urban development projects are aligned with the long-term goals of sustainability and social equity.
Zimbabwe has faced issues with governance and corruption, particularly in land administration and infrastructure development. ESG principles advocate for strong anti-corruption measures and ethical governance, where public funds are used transparently to support sustainable urban initiatives.
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has been instrumental in such ambitions, which has been demonstrated in cities, such as Munich (Germany), Tshwane (South Africa), Helsinki (Finland), and Oslo (Denmark) etc. Incorporating ESG principles into Zimbabwe’s urban planning processes offers a comprehensive and sustainable framework for addressing the country’s urbanisation challenges, including poor drainage and inadequate sewer reticulation systems.
ESG principles are driving the adoption of green and sustainable building practices, energy-efficient designs and low-carbon public transport systems, contributing to reducing environmental footprints in urban areas.
By focusing on social equity, ESG principles help ensure that the benefits of urbanisation reach all segments of society, especially marginalised communities.
ESG encourages cities to plan for climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, which is essential for Zimbabwe, given its vulnerability to climate change.
Resilient urban infrastructure and green spaces can help cities withstand extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
As Zimbabwe grapples with rapid urbanisation, housing shortages and environmental degradation, integrating ESG principles into urban development is essential for building sustainable cities. These principles provide a holistic approach to addressing the country’s urban challenges, creating more inclusive, resilient and environmentally sustainable cities.
By prioritising environmental protection, social equity and good governance, Zimbabwe can create urban landscapes that not only meet the needs of our generation but also ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come while attracting the much needed investments.
- Tombs is an environment and sustainability advisor with the Institute for Sustainability Africa (INŚAF), an independent multi-disciplinary sustainability think-tank founded in Zimbabwe with a core purpose to “make sustainability happen” and has over 14 years’ “advancing sustainability initiatives for Africa”. These weekly articles are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Limited, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe. — kadenge.zes@gmail.com or mobile: +263 772 382 852
