Minister Garwe Demands Results Beyond Paper

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has challenged urban and regional planners to demonstrate results through better housing, functioning infrastructure and improved services, saying development plans should be judged by their impact on communities.

Addressing the Zimbabwe Institute of Regional and Urban Planners (ZIRUP) Annual School Conference 2026 in Bulawayo, Garwe said producing planning documents was insufficient without implementation.

“Are we measuring our success by the plans we produce, or by the improvements those plans deliver in the lives of our people?” he asked.

The conference, held under the theme “From Plans to Places,” focused attention on translating spatial planning into development outcomes.

Garwe said Zimbabwe’s ambition to establish modern, productive and well-serviced settlements required adequate resources and coordination among Government, local authorities, planners, engineers, developers and communities.

His remarks placed responsibility for implementation across institutions, with local authorities expected to connect approved plans to investment in roads, water, sanitation, housing, schools and clinics.

He warned that poorly managed development left communities facing lasting problems, including wetland encroachment, blocked drainage systems, inadequate infrastructure and shortages of essential services.

Garwe urged councils to enforce planning standards consistently, process development applications transparently and ensure construction complied with approved plans and relevant legislation.

However, enforcement was only one part of the challenge he outlined. He also identified resources, institutional capacity and cooperation as necessary conditions for delivering planned development.

On housing, Garwe said providing shelter alone was insufficient. Settlements also needed services, infrastructure and access to livelihoods.

“Our objective must be to create communities where people can live in dignity, access opportunities and participate meaningfully in economic and social life,” he said.

He called for development planning to extend beyond major cities to secondary cities, small towns and rural service centres, highlighting their role in supporting agriculture, industry, tourism and trade.

Garwe also encouraged planners to use Geographic Information Systems, satellite imagery and digital planning platforms to guide decisions and monitor development.

He cautioned that technology would need to be supported by professional competence, institutional capacity and integrity.

Drawing on the biblical account of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, Garwe said vision needed to be matched by organisation, resource mobilisation and collective action.

“Like Nehemiah, let us rise up and build,” he said.

As ZIRUP patron, he urged the institute to strengthen professional standards and cooperation with Government and local authorities, identifying implementation, accountability and partnership as priorities.

While his address set out those expectations, the supplied remarks did not specify new funding commitments or delivery deadlines. Progress will therefore depend on how the priorities are translated into funded projects and measurable improvements in communities.