Harare Demolitions: Costly and Unnecessary Amid Sustainable Alternatives.
By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye | The ongoing property demolitions in Harare can only be criminal and all behind this must be jailed for life.
Imaginary Legal Conviction: Life Imprisonment for Unjustified Demolition of Property
Case Name: State v. John Doe
Court: Supreme Court of Eco-Justice
Date: November 12, 2024
Charge: Violation of the Sustainable Development and Property Preservation Act (SDPPA) of 2024, Section 10(a).
Imaginary Law:
Under the Sustainable Development and Property Preservation Act (SDPPA) of 2024, Section 10(a), it is declared unlawful for any individual or entity to demolish private, public, or commercial properties without demonstrable and justified reasons. This law aims to preserve the environment, prevent economic loss, and sustain community resources.
Penalty:
Any person found guilty of willfully and unjustifiably demolishing properties shall face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Judgment Summary:
The defendant, John Doe, was found guilty of the unlawful demolition of a community-owned building that served as both a historical landmark and an economic hub for the region. Evidence presented showed that there was no justification for the act, as the property was structurally sound and actively utilized despite being built in a wetland area.
The court found that the defendant’s actions caused severe environmental damage, including the unnecessary release of construction waste and the destruction of local ecosystems. Furthermore, the demolition led to a significant economic downturn, with job losses and disruptions to local businesses.
Verdict:
John Doe is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 10(a) of the SDPPA for the unjustified demolition of property, contributing to environmental harm and economic loss. This sentence underscores the importance of protecting properties to maintain environmental sustainability and economic stability for future generations.
Final Remarks by the Judge:
“Destroying property without cause is an attack on the environment, heritage, and livelihoods. Such actions cannot and will not be tolerated in a society striving for sustainability and prosperity.”
This behaviour has sparked outrage among residents, urban planners, and environmentalists. While authorities cite the need for urban regulation, critics argue that these demolitions are unnecessarily expensive, environmentally destructive, and socially disruptive. Around the world, cities facing similar challenges have turned to innovative and sustainable alternatives, such as deconstruction, house lifting, and property repurposing, to address urban development issues without displacing families or harming the environment. Harare can learn from these examples and adopt solutions that save both money and lives. We explore-
Deconstruction: Salvaging Materials for Reuse.
Deconstruction is a method of carefully dismantling buildings so that up to 80% of the materials can be salvaged, reused, or recycled. Unlike demolitions, which generate massive amounts of non-recyclable debris, deconstruction helps conserve valuable resources such as wood, steel, and bricks.
Globally, companies are leading the way in this sustainable practice:
• The ReBuilding Center (Portland, Oregon, USA): This nonprofit specializes in salvaging building materials from deconstructed properties, reselling them for new construction projects while creating local jobs.
• ReciproCity Belfast (Northern Ireland): This company focuses on dismantling properties and redistributing materials to support low-income housing projects, minimizing waste and reducing costs.
In Harare, adopting deconstruction could significantly reduce landfill waste while creating opportunities for new industries in material reuse.
House Lifting: Relocating Instead of Destroying
House lifting involves physically elevating entire buildings from their foundations and relocating them to new sites. This method, suitable for both historic and modern structures, has been successfully used in various countries to preserve buildings and reduce environmental harm.
Examples include:
• Wolfe House Movers (Pennsylvania, USA): Wolfe specializes in moving buildings of all sizes, including historic structures and residential homes. Their expertise allows cities to preserve architectural heritage without sacrificing development.
• Nickel Bros (Canada): Based in Vancouver, this company relocates homes to new lots, even offering services for homes that would otherwise be demolished. Nickel Bros emphasizes sustainability, ensuring homes are repurposed instead of sent to landfills.
For Harare, house lifting could preserve valuable properties and allow families to move to more suitable locations without the trauma of losing their homes entirely.
Adaptive Reuse: Transforming Properties for New Purposes
Adaptive reuse involves converting buildings for entirely new purposes, reducing the need for demolition and new construction. This practice has been embraced globally as a way to preserve the environment and save on costs:
• The High Line (New York City, USA): A disused railway track was transformed into an iconic urban park, breathing new life into an old structure.
• Gasometers (Vienna, Austria): Former gas storage tanks were converted into apartments, offices, and cultural spaces, preserving historical structures while meeting modern needs.
In Harare, many structures marked for demolition could be repurposed into community centers, small businesses, or low-cost housing, creating social and economic benefits.
Prefabricated Extensions and Modular Building
In some cases, properties can be modified or extended using prefabricated materials instead of demolishing and rebuilding. Prefabricated construction is quicker, cheaper, and produces far less waste:
• Koto Design (UK): This company specializes in eco-friendly modular homes, which can be added to existing properties or serve as standalone units.
• Sekisui House (Japan): This firm constructs modular buildings that minimize environmental impact and can be customized for various urban needs.
For Harare, modular construction could provide affordable housing alternatives without the need for large-scale demolitions.
Lessons for Harare: Sustainable Urban Development
Harare’s current approach to property demolitions is neither sustainable nor economically sound. By considering global best practices, the city could adopt methods that prioritize long-term development and environmental conservation. Deconstruction, house lifting, adaptive reuse, and modular construction are just a few examples of how cities around the world are balancing progress with sustainability.
These alternatives do more than reduce costs—they create jobs, preserve heritage, and protect the environment. Harare’s leaders have an opportunity to shift toward innovative solutions that safeguard families, strengthen the economy, and promote responsible urban planning. The question remains: will they rise to the challenge?
IN PICTURES: HOUSES BEING LIFTED OFF THE EARTH IN A CAREFUL MANNER, THAT DOESNT HARM THE EARTH AND THAT DOES NOT RESULT IN WASTAGE @tatenda mavetera @ZANU PF. Madam Boss. Shepherd Yuda.
