Bulawayo is envisaging an efficient transportation system in 15 years’ time, anchored on a strong road network system, the city’s proposed new master plan for the period stretching from 2019 to 2034 has shown.
The second largest city’s current operational master plan was prepared in year 2 000, as a review of the 1982 Master Plan, the first such plan produced in Zimbabwe under the then 1976, Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
The physical, economic, social and environmental conditions upon which the plan’s proposal were premised have changed hence the need for the new.
”The Plan will embrace a variety of forms of public transport, including conventional buses, commuter omnibuses, trains and taxis,” reads the master plan statement, prepared by Job Jika and Associates.
“Due consideration will be given to the introduction of other modes of public transport such as trams. The City Council to ensure that a study of the long term car parking needs for the City Centre is undertaken.”
A tram is a passenger vehicle powered by electricity conveyed by overhead cables, and running on rails laid in a public road.
The statement adds: “Provision shall be made for overnight parking facilities for heavy vehicles at designated sites. The City Council shall prepare, adopt and keep under review a Traffic Management Plan for the city, with special emphasis on the city centre.”
Under the proposed master plan, the city seeks to establish a road network system that allows safe movement for all road users and inter-linked to other transportation modes to ensure good access to all sectors in the city.
Bulawayo’s population is projected to have grown then to 1.5 million.
According to the proposed plan, the provision will be made to strengthen and improve the inner City Ring Road around the perimeter of the CBD and the outer ring road to be linked to Bulawayo Drive while additional, new roads will be constructed.
These include extension of Cowdray Park Corridor to join Masiyephambili and Victoria Falls Road, Cowdray Park Corridor, extension of Cowdray Park Corridor to meet the 60m road and the outer road to link to Nyamandlovu and Victoria Falls Road.
Under the proposed plan, there will be an extension of the outer ring road to link to Intemba Drive, a new road to be constructed to link to Victoria Falls road and the Airport Road.
