The City of Bulawayo is representing Zimbabwe at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The forum, themed “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” brings together global cities and governments to discuss urban challenges and solutions. Bulawayo’s delegation is part of Zimbabwe’s team, exhibiting under the sub-theme “Housing Zimbabwe: Building Resilient Communities for the Future.” The city is highlighting its housing and urban development agenda, including the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy launched in 2020. Councillor Ndlovu noted that while policy strides have been made, significant infrastructure deficits persist across Zimbabwe’s 92 local authorities, particularly in water, sewer treatment, transmission, roads, and public lighting. Rapid urbanisation has strained existing infrastructure, much of which has exceeded its useful life. Land governance and tenure security are also critical issues in urban development, with land ownership split between Central Government, local authorities, and the private sector. Bulawayo continues to implement programs to ensure residents have access to housing opportunities.
Key Players Involved
- City of Bulawayo: Representing Zimbabwe’s urban development agenda at WUF13.
- Councillor Ndlovu: Member of the Bulawayo delegation, highlighting policy strides and infrastructure challenges.
- Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities (Zimbabwe): Government ministry involved in the Zimbabwe Pavilion.
Event Timeline
- May 21, 2026: Bulawayo delegation participates in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Current Status: Bulawayo is showcasing its housing and urban development agenda, addressing challenges like infrastructure deficits and land governance.
