Building Engineering 3rd issue 2017 by Building Engineering Mag

USD$3

THIRD ISSUE

2017

HOME AND OFFICE MAKE-OVER

NYARADZO Chitungwiza Complex

8 ARCHITECT'S Perspective

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60495

UPCOMING PROJECT: Elizabeth Windsor Gardens

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CONTENTS THIRD ISSUE

Cover Feature Nyaradzo

Architect’s perspective

Landscape feature: Joe’s gardens

Upcoming Project: Elizabeth Windsor Gardens

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EDITOR’S NOTE Warmest greetings and welcome to this, our third edition. A very positive sign we continue to see across our cities is the continuing building and development - in spite of the depressed economic environment evidenced by constrained liquidity, greatly reduced consumer spending and the now growing inflation. It is evident that property development is viewed as a wise and safe investment against the unstable economic environment. We are excited that our magazine, BUILDING ENGINEERING, is bringing these positive developments and advances to you. As we have shared before, the concepts of Sustainable Architecture ie.the theory, style and science of buildings designed in accordance with environmentally friendly principles - are a high value for us. Therefore, in this issue we are pleased to feature the new NYARADZO OFFICES, in Chitungwiza, whose designs were done according to the concepts of Sustainable Architecture. We also feature the ELIZABETH WINDSOR GARDENS – 58 upmarket residential cluster homes being developed by Dawn Properties in Marlborough.

ADDRESS 13 Harare Dr, Borrowdale Harare, 04 2934605 0772 932 805

EDITOR Laurie Thompson

We continue to expand the number of articles and resources featured. In this issue we also feature informative articles from the World Bank on Green Urban Development, Property Law & Title Deeds, Town Planning by City of Harare , Biological Waste Water Treatment and several others. So, are you looking for a wise and safe investment of your finances? Our BUILDING ENGINEERING magazine can provide you with the contacts, experts, suppliers and all the information you may need - in one place. Subscribe to ensure you receive your next copy.

editor@thebemag.com

MARKETING Neema Paul Bonaparte T. Chifamba

Laurie Thompson

Arthur Mungule

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Tonde & Al

PUBLISHER Afrique Infra Rapport (pvt) Ltd

CONTRIBUTORS Walter Sonayi Shaw Bushu Staff Writer Advocate Gift Maseko

SUBSCRIPTIONS buildingengineeringmedia@ gmail.com www.thebemag.com

© Copyright: Building Engineering is the exclusive property of the publisher and it is an offence to reproduce any copyright material without permission from the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to produce accurate information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors. All material is subject to our unrestricted right to comment editorially. Content Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Building Engineering magazine and Afrique Infra Rapport (pvt) ltd does not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publisher or its agents.

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$180

$280

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$210 $230

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COVER FEATURE

NYARADZO GROUP CHITUNGWIZA SERVICE CENTRE

Nyaradzo Life Assurance Company also known by their payoff-line “SAHWIRA MUKURU”, has done it again. This time by building a new state of the art building situated on Stand number 17586 Zengeza T/S, Chitungwiza along Batanai Road. From my own assessment, the motivation behind this project, from the client’s perspective is to reach out to as close as possible to its products and services clientele, as is also lauded by their war-cry, “WE LISTEN, UNDERSTAND and PROVIDE SOLUTIONS”. The company is experiencing an exponential and rapid growth. The new kid on the block is home to variety of services including but not limited to funeral assurance and services, insurance broking, Consultants Agents Offices, Score pack shop, mortuary services, Chapels and banking facilities, all under one roof. The facility is very well equipped with spacious, ample and secure parking for the convenience of both Clients and Staff. Our design goal focused on creating a design that is environmentally and 10

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user friendly, warm, inviting and approachable for families while at the same time making it efficient. The Building has two floors with open floor plan which is a key in today’s modern design technologies. Multipurpose open floor plan makes the space within the building both inviting for bereaving families and efficient for the users. When at the facility, one can easily forget their purpose of being there of mourning a departed someone, and so comforting starts right here. To those who can remember the site as a virgin land, it was very wetland being used as illegal sugarcane and “madhumbe” farmland. A lot of design thoughts were put into consideration to drain away ground and surface water and co-exist with the ecosystem, which made the area impassable.

of plants and solar shield glass to filter solar heat. The rooms have expanses of glazing to open up them to the outdoors and ensure the sufficient daylight, while plants ensures fresh and cool air for the indoor climate. The correct colors selected were also a key in creating this sense of warmth, calm and peace environment.

Natural light was an important part of this design concept to facilitate openness between the building and the environment it is set within. We kept energy costs and the need for artificial lighting at reduced levels by implementing an effective combination of natural light, inclusion

Structural and Civil KST

In conclusion we can only say, the designs were done according to the concepts of Sustainable Architecture. This is a theory, style and science of buildings designed in accordance with environmentally friendly principles. Text by Walter Sonayi Project Manager KST Electrical Engineering MEP Mechanical Engineering VES Architect Irkane Design Group Quantity Surveyors Corry & Mukuyu

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COVER FEATURE “NYARADZO’S mission is to revolutionize the services industry and make a difference to every customer’s experience”,

Nyaradzo Group not only provides insurance, funeral, event equipment hire and manufacturing services but is a customer driven entity aimed at enhancing the consumer’s experience. This is evident in all their operations and in their recent commitment to expand their operations by increasing their presence through a country-wide construction drive. Their latest projects, the construction of the Nyaradzo Chitungwiza Service Centre and the renovation of the Nyaradzo Group Harare CBD offices are proof of this. In the Harare CBD along Park Street, a facelift is underway next door to the existing Nyaradzo offices. The new offices will give this portion of Park Street a modern, well-polished appearance. In Chitungwiza, Nyaradzo has rolled out a new state-of-the art complex which not only resembles its undying commitment to superior services but cements the relationship readily expressed by an organization which reiterates its position in customers’ lives as “Sahwira Mukuru”. The Chitungwiza complex has a modern architectural design that is complemented by impeccable landscaping. Designed and built by a local architect and construction com-

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pany, all of the sub-contractors were local and the materials used included a mix of local and imported. The partitioning, furniture and cabinetry were made by a sister company of Nyaradzo. The landscaping blends ample parking space for customers and mourners with park-like benches surrounding the lawn areas which are a welcome feature for those who want to take a rest or to take in the surroundings. The premises are walled with palisade fencing which showcases the beauty of the building and automated boom gates provide secure ease of entry for those visiting the Service Centre. The building stands tall overlooking the landscape of its surroundings, making it impossible to miss from the highway. When it comes to aesthetics, the building has an element of functionality meeting elegance. The structure is fully air-conditioned and incorporates offices, chapels, storerooms, convenience rooms and 2 canteens that serve both customers and workers respectively. Since services are always supposed to be within arms-reach or at the click of a button, Nyaradzo has also managed to complement its ser-

vices with an on-site bank facility to ensure seamless service delivery and optimal customer satisfaction and convenience. To ensure that all these services are wrapped in a secure package, Nyaradzo has gone an extra mile in providing security facilities in the form of on-site guards and CCTV facilities to make sure their customers’ minds are always at rest.

story, bold steps have to be taken, plans have to be drafted, and dreams have to be constructed. To many it’s a beacon of hope and the beginning of a new era of service delivery in Chitungwiza. This is what the Nyaradzo Group Chitungwiza Service Centre’s construction has proven to be - a breath of life where it is needed the most.

The move to build such a structure has resulted in additional convenience for all the residents of Chitungwiza and for people in the surrounding areas like Dema, Seke and Manyame. To forge a future that has a great

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O S I N D O A I R OLUT S GATE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

About Radio Solutions

Radio Solutions (Pvt) Ltd is an electronic security and ICT systems company currently operating in Zimbabwe and Botswana. We pride ourselves in offering high quality, technology-based products which are backed by a highly skilled technical support team. Our company only deals in products which have internationally proven efficiency and provide enduser long term value for money. Since 2005, we have grown to become one of the leading companies in the industry, largely through our intuitive foresight when it comes to providing efficient solutions for our clients requirements. We have developed strong relations and strategic partnerships with the manufacturers of our hi-tech equipment, so that the net benefit of cutting out the middle-men is shared with our clients.

• IP CCTV • Access Control • Intruder Alarms • Fire Alarms • ICT Equipment • 2-way Radio Communication

ACCESS CONTROL

9001:2008

4 Beit Avenue Milton Park Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 796052, 764370 www.radiosolutions.co.zw BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE

LANDSCAPE FEATURE NYARADZO FUNERAL SERVICES – CHITUNGWIZA JOE’S GARDENS

Joe’s Gardens is a company which specializes in Plants, Landscaping, Gardening and Horticultural Services that stay in line with contemporary market trends while enhancing environmental awareness and cost effective landscaping. For the Nyaradzo Funeral Services – Chitungwiza, we chose landscaping and plants that complimented the architectural designs. This formal setting demanded neat compact plants such as a wide variety of groundcovers, grasses, evergreens and perennials which have a distinctive presence throughout the year. As these areas are permanently on display, it was important to choose plants with contrasting forms, textures and colors. Because this is a large property, moulding sections of the land into undulating terrain was a small 20

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– scale replica of nature. These mounds also allowed us to promote environmentally friendly processes by utilizing building rubble and surplus soil. Part of the design also included adding clay indoor potted plants into office spaces. These plants also clear the air of any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). We managed to create a formal design and also bring the outdoors in with the pots. With over 10 years of successful high profile projects under our belt, we continue to expand on our services to provide water-wise plants, enterprising landscaping solutions and innovations for our clients. Our experience in installing semi- mature trees and ornamental plants, the design and installation of water features, irrigation systems and grounds maintenance, supported by

a skilled and motivated team, has enabled us to provide a wide range of services, thus ensuring projects are completed swiftly and efficiently.

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ISSUE FEATURE A FOCUS ON PLASTIC SHEETING IN CONSTRUCTION

magine a world without plastic. As simple and insignificant as it may seem plastic is the bridge that has allowed a transcendence from modernism to industrialization, it actively plays its part into bringing innovative architectural design ideas into a reality. A simple invention called plastic which is more durable than the conventional glass or wood containers that have been used for centuries before itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; discovery is now used in products are spread across hundreds of millions of shelves around the world in various shapes, forms, qualities and sizes. Today almost everything is preserved, branded and sold in plastic containers. Though there is an undoubtedly diverse use for plastics globally, this article is specifically going to zero in on Polythene sheeting in the construction sector. The question; can construction grade polythene plastic sheeting be used for various construction projects? becomes relevant. Well the answer to that is dependent or various factors. It is critical to understand that not all plastics are created equal. There are various sources for raw materials that are used to create plastics and that affects the final product; some are made from recycles goods,

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reground resins and absolute least expensive resins, these are not guaranteed to be pinhole free and can be defective. POLYTHENE SHEETING UNDER SLAB Under slab vapor retarders p[lay a very important role in retarding moisture from coming up through the concrete into the structure. It is wise to use films specifically designed for construction and engineered for use as vapor retarders. These products are made from 100% virgin resins and have excellent quality control testing the standards of vapor retarders in contact with soil or granular fill used for concrete slabs. They are engineered not to decay in this type of application whereas most begin breaking down immediately and lose their structural strength and integrity within a two year period. It is ok to use retarders with a low percentage point depending on your venture but if you are considering hardwood flooring critical consider application of 100% virgin resins vapor retarders. THE MANY FACES OF POLYTHENE SHEETING

It passes by the names; poly sheeting, plastic sheeting, plastic film, polythene sheet and poly film to give some examples, polythene sheeting is a plastic sheet produced using petroleum. That is the reason the price of this product can change contingent upon the cost of oil. This is usually sold in rolls and there after substances can be added in it depending on the purpose of the film. An added substance like U.V. inhibitors, fire retardants, hostile static added substances are included so every variety can best serve its expected use.

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IAZ

THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS IN ZIMBABWE The Institute of Architects in Zimbabwe, popularly known as The IAZ, is headquartered in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare. Established in 1924, the IAZ was originally named the Institute of Rhodesian Architects. At Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 the institute was given its current name. The main aim of the institute is to provide support to its registered members, architects professionally working in Zimbabwe, and to improve the professional status of architects in the country. Membership is based on payment of an annual fee, and to join, the architects must meet a minimum educational qualification. The institute is run by an elected board which works together to ensure the aims of the Institute are maintained, and the architectural profession maintains its important status in Zimbabwe. The aims of the IAZ are as follows: The Institution aims to; Assist and co-operate with the Council in any matter within the powers and jurisdiction of the Council; Represent the views of the Architects’

profession and to maintain its integrity and status; to promote the amicable settlement or adjustment of disputes concerning professional matters, to promote social intercourse between members and members of other professions and callings and to consider and deal with all matters affecting the professional interests of members; save where such matters fall within the sole jurisdiction of the Council; Encourage and promote the study of architecture and to provide means of securing efficiency and responsibility on the part of those seeking admission to the profession; Establish or arrange, support and maintain libraries, reading rooms, public displays and other functions and to print, publish and circulate books, periodicals, pamphlets and other matters on any subject relating to the profession of an architect and on architecture generally;

Fund, grant, accept or administer scholarships, bursaries and prizes and to adopt any means for encouraging and directing students in architecture; Conduct, assist or encourage architectural research and to make public the result of the same; Affiliate or otherwise enter, into an alliance with any association or other organized body of architects and to co-operate with such association or body in any endeavor furthering the aims and advancement of architecture generally; Establish and support or aid in the establishment and support of matters relating to architecture generally and to promote or oppose legislation in Parliament. Zimbabwean architects have been an integral part of infrastructure development across the country.

Control, supervise and provide facilities for professional training and to determine the conditions applicable thereto;

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WINNERMATIC

ROLLER SHUTTER DOORS MANUFACTURE Winnermatic (Pvt) Ltd is the winning choice in the manufacture, installation, maintenance and repair of both manual and automated roller shutter doors. We value commitment to the work contract by exercising a “can do” attitude and collaborative approach to new products and technology. Winnermatic Roller-Shutter Door Major Benefits: •

Excellent aesthetic design

•

Ease of operation

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Maximizing of building space by eliminating old traditional warehouse doors that take up lots of space

•

Durability, with workmanship and material guarantees of one year

•

Low maintenance requirements and therefore low costs

•

Continually researched and developed technical design aspects

•

Suitability for the most aesthetic purposes and security intentions

Apart from Megawatt Complex, Winnermatic has also successfully installed Roller shutter doors nationally and regionally this includes banks such as RBZ Bulawayo and Steward bank Beitbridge to mention a few, TM supermarkets, McInn Supermarkets in Gwanda, Sir Seretse Khama airport and Francistown Dumela Fire Station, Botswana. Current projects include RBZ Harare and Eastgate SME complex.

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PROJECT FEATURE DAWN PROPERTIES

Elizabeth Windsor Gardens Secure complex • Borehole water available • Playground and recreational areas From the moment you step inside one of the Elizabeth Windsor Gardens home light filled spaces welcome you with a warm feeling of comfort. Generous indoor and outdoor living areas combine to provide convenience and enjoyment. This collection of exquisite 2 and 3 bedroom cluster homes is located in a quiet corner of Marlborough, which lies at the heart of everything you could ever need. The suburb is in proximity to Harare CBD, shopping malls and excellent schools.With stunning features and in a prime location, the homesin Elizabeth Windsor Gardens are surprisingly affordable,with pricing from US$99,000. This is an excellent investment opportunity not to be missed; contact our salesteam to learn more about this exciting development.

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Phone: +263(4)707109, +263(4)706641-4,

parking bays

8th Floor Beverly Court, 100 Nelson Mandela Ave./Fourth St. Harare, Zimbabwe Sales Team Mobile Numbers :

-2 prolific boreholes -2 x gardeners quarters -Children’s play area -Palisade fencing and 24 hour access control point

Nancy 0785 116 326 : Fungayi 0785 116 325 : John 0785 499 707

-Paved driveway -Payment terms are cash at the date of transaction

ewgsales@elizabethwindsorgardens. com

DAWN PROPERTY CONSULTANCYSUMMARY

-Located in Marlborough Elizabeth Windsor Drive

Creating Sustainable Stakeholders

-Secure gated environment

along

communal

value

for

Our Services

-Sited on a 4.3 hectare plot.

We offer comprehensive Real Estate services to our diverse clients.

-58 units built

Valuation Advisory

-46 x 3 bedroom units (main ensuite) 160 sq.m + 2 parking bays

We focus on providing accurate, timely, supportive conclusions of value for all types of plant ,machinery and equipment as well as land &

-12 x 2 bedroom units 125 sq.m + 2

buildings and farms.

Letting

Property Mangement

Our team specialists offer tailor made innovative solutions to all your real estate problems.

The division crafts management solutions for individual properties and large portfolios that offer tangible results. Residential & Commercial Sales By positioning and targeting properties to most qualified buyers, we attain maximum value for your property. Research Clear and rigorous analysis is the foundation of our property investment advice.

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SPECIALIZED

CONSTRUCTURAL SERVICES Specialized Constructural services A Zimbabwean company committed to outstanding service delivery, SCS specializes in saw cutting, joint sealing, water proofing, concrete repairs, concrete additives, leading roof repairs and suppliers of ABE DIY products. SCS also provides products and services from FOSROC which is a world leader in the delivery of tailored Constructive Solutions for virtually any type of construction project. Big or small project, SCSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence is always felt as it has partook in megaprojects and even offers facilities and resources for small DIY projects especially those from ABE. Recently , the organization has been a part of the construction of the Gweru Megawatt building and

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have also been active in a lot of other projects. The main offices of the organization are situated in Harare at Soutter/ Hunter road, New Adbennie. To ensure a future with strong, durable structures you need specialized services and no one can do it better than Specialized Construction Services!

sliding & folding doors

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STRONG, DURABLE, STYLISH and ECONOMICAL Architectural Aluminium specialize in Luxury windows, door and shower cubicles as well as fabricated shop-fitting and BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE 41 building finishes for domestic and the construction industry adding value and class to your surroundings and give you years of satisfaction. Call us or visit us - our sales personnel are waiting to discuss your requirements.

EVENT FEATURE BETA ARCHITECTURAL STUDENTS COMPETITION

BETA HOLDINGS ARCHICTECTURAL COMPETITION

HOSTS 2017 STUDENTS

BETA HOLDINGS hosted the second edition of the Beta Architectural Students Competition, which culminated with an awards ceremony held at the Venue in Harare on Saturday the 7tH of October 2017. The competition brief required students to design a commercial building for the Institute of Built Environment on a piece of land situate in Borrowdale, Harare. Competition entrants were required to incorporate clay bricks and concrete roof tiles in their designs as economic and aesthetically pleasing building materials, whilst also focusing on environmental sustainability and green building technology. The Guest of Honour at the event, Musa Shangase, President of the Clay Brick Association of Southern Africa, commended Beta Holdings, 42

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National University of Science and Technology and the Zimbabwe Institute of Architects for their partnership in administering the competition, which sets out to inspire and excite young minds in the architectural field, noting that this sets the tone for future nation building. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Francis Gudyanga said that the competition was an important expression of private sector efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology (STEM) careers, in line with the Ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s STEM policy introduced at the start of 2016. The winner, of the Prestigious Vernon Mwamuka Floating trophy, Tichaona Gondo walked away with $3000 in cash whilst first runner up, Tatenda Jambaya received $2000, and second runner up, Yamurai Chibayanzara walked away with $1000. The adjudication team also

gave a special commendation to Takudzwa Musonza for his excellent execution of the brief. About BETA HOLDINGS BETA Holdings is Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest brick and concrete roof tile supplier, with origins dating back to 1953, when it was established as Alpha Bricks. The company, is headquartered in Mount Hampden and has representative sales offices in Bindura, Mutare, and Kwekwe, and has also expanded its regional footprint with operations in Zambia and Mozambique. The company has four main operating subsidiaries BETA Bricks, BETA Tiles, BETA Logistics and the recently introduced BETA Concrete. Contact BETA Holdings on 04332789/333735/08677000403/4 Website: www.beta.co.zw

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Y K T R CI PA AY AL W I N TR SU US D N I

Harare City is promoting the city's industrialisation through a number of initiatives that include strategic p a r t n e r s h i p s a n d new investments. Sunway City is one such industrial complex that the city in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation is developing. It will house factory shells, specialized factory units, ofď&#x20AC; ce complexes, shopping malls, distribution centres and entertainment parks. Harare is responsible for the planning and approval of all construction work in and around the complex with IDC coming as project owners. Several companies are operating at the complex. Residential, institutional, commercial and recreational facilities will be expanded once construction work switches to top gear. Industrialisation will take centre stage with factory shells backing work to improve rail, road and technological infrastructure. Over 80 000 new jobs are expected to be created by companies setting shop in the park. The developments include an inland port that will service the whole of Southern Africa. The inland port is expected to become an economic hub. The inland port, the ď&#x20AC; rst in Zimbabwe, is expected to enhance trade within SADC by providing services ordinarily given at seaports. An inland port is usually located away from traditional land, air and coastal borders to facilitate and process international trade through strategic investment in multimodal transportation assets and by promoting valueadded services. The 1 560 hectare integrated industrial park, located about 11 kilometres east of Harare's CBD, is home to PPC

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Cement the newest baby in town. The company opened its doors late last year bringing the much needed momentum to the city's construction industry. Industries with linkages to the construction sector are increasing their production capacities in response to increased construction activities in the Sunway City Industrial Park. This will lead to an economic boom in the country in the same manner the construction industry has led to economic booms in other countries such as South Africa, China, Dubai and Malaysia. The park comes with a low density housing estate with over 500 stands. The Park is strategically located as it is traversed by a regional road and railway. It is conveniently located, only 6.5 kilometres from the Harare International Airport. This provides a direct link between the Sunway City's Inland Port (Dry Port) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe's Air Cargo Hub development project at the airport. It is also directly connected by road and rail to various seaports in the region, and is a transhipment centre that includes facilities for storage, consolidation of goods, maintenance for road or rail cargo carriers and customs clearance services. The location of these facilities at a dry port relieves competition for storage and customs space at the seaport itself. The region's biggest seaports include Durban and Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Beira and Maputo (Mozambique), Walvis Bay (Namibia) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Construction of four buildings is currently underway in the Export Processing Zone. Two are textile factories, one is a software development building and the fourth is a storage warehouse.

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UNLOCKING THE BARRIER TO GREEN URBAN DEVELOPMENT Strengthen institutions to manage green urban development

It is also important to recognize that the widespread planning failures evident in African cities are, in essence, a symptom of institutional weakness. In a â&#x20AC;&#x153;greeningâ&#x20AC;? context, green urban planning fails to emerge because African urban management institutions lack the capacity to generate such plans, and, whether or not they are environmentally sensitive, the plans that are produced are seldom implemented or enforced. While the strengthening of government institutions is key, it is also perhaps one of the most challenging issues to address. Waiting for good institutions to emerge should not be allowed to delay the transition from a downward spiral to green urban development, as there is great urgency in transitioning to sustainable, resilient cities. Nevertheless, immense effort and innovation is needed to push this agenda: where cities are unable to manage natural assets effectively due, for example, to jurisdictional constraints, consideration should be given to allocating these responsibilities to national or regional institutions that have the incentives and capacity to do so. Targeted finance Finally, the green urban develop48

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ment agenda needs to be better financially resourced. In the context of the limited fiscal devolution characteristic of cities in many African countries, there is a very substantial agenda here. This is not particular to environmental management concerns, but in the long term it will be a necessary condition of putting African cities on a more environmentally sustainable trajectory. For example, measures involving the extension or upgrading of waste management services will require increased revenues from new and existing users, including reductions in explicit or implicit subsidies in rate setting and increased public expenditure that has to be financed in some other way by local governments. Other measures related to land use and pollution control will require public expenditures for monitoring and enforcement, as well as private compliance costs. More immediately, given the limited local revenue capacities and authorities of most African cities, consideration needs to be given to targeted environmental programmes supported by conditional grants funded by national governments and/ or development partners. Where feasible, the development of innovative

financing instruments where the costs of environmental interventions and infrastructure are ultimately recovered from those who benefit most, those interventions (such as Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, or the funding of green public space by developers who recover their costs from the sale of residences adjacent to that space), should be explored. Source: World Bank; Greening Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cities: Enhancing the relationship between urbanization, environmental assets and ecosystem services

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TOWN PLANNING What is Town Planning? Close your eyes and imagine what kind of buildings and resources your local town or village need. Yes, you might have thought of homes and workplaces, shops and restaurants, roads and railways….. What about the other uses that which did not come into your mind:- parking garages, aerodromes, places of assembly, institutions; the list is endless? Where will they go? The role of town planners is to manage these competing demands and uses for space. They balance the social, economic, and environmental needs to shape the way that towns and cities grow. Town planning is responsible for creating the built environment and it creates great communities for everyone.

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Town Planning can be defined as the art and science of ordering the use of land to achieve the maximum practicable degree of economic convenience; safety and health for a particular environment so as to safe guard the wellbeing of the people. In simple terms it is the wise use of land for the benefit of the community. Planning in general covers a broad area therefore the planners’ work varies widely. Depending on the project type, the role of a town planner may include:-

munities, businesses and the environment.

• Informing and directing policy at local and national levels using public meetings and surveys to find out public opinion.

•

Assessing planning applications and enforcing planning rules and regulations.

• Promoting schemes and local plans to attract industry to an area.

• Designing of new towns or

• Developing land reclamation

• Ensuring that places have open

• Protecting buildings that are

villages.

spaces, jobs and schools.

• Balancing the needs of com-

programmes

of historical and architectural importance.

• Forecasting changes and updating plans as necessary ensuring that suitable land becomes available for development.

Planners therefore have to strike a balance between landowners’ and developers’ wishes, and the needs and concerns of the greater public. Good town planning should help communities, companies, local and national politicians to make decisions about how to best use their space; whilst protecting water bodies and historic buildings, regenerating declining places and creating new environments. It should preserve the best of the past and promote innovation, so that the towns and buildings of the future will continue to meet our needs. Town planning is therefore not static. It is an ongoing process, hence the need to constantly review the different local plans under which the areas fall. Because of its broad nature, town planning can be involved in major projects such as dam construction. It can deal with local projects like the design and layout of towns and villages, subdivision of estates and even the size and location of a house extension.

Someone once asked me at a BNI meeting, “Martha, I already have all the plans that I need for a proposed cluster development, tell me why I need a planner?” I almost went blank at this because I was not expecting it. However, he did not notice because I am one person who strongly believes that I look much better than I feel so I smiled at him and explained that he definitely needed a town planner in the same way it was obvious when he need a plumber, electrician or a urologist. Essentially, if there is a development proposal that requires some special consent of the Local Authority, for instance a change of use of land, development of cluster homes, or you want to go into property development and build a block of flats, or a new shopping centre; once you have your plans drawn up it is not just a matter of taking them to the Local Authority and ask for an approval. Rather, it is a complex process that is highly consultative and there are town planning reports that need to be professionally prepared and legislation to comply with.

from other requirements should be accompanied by a report to Council detailing what the proposal is and the likely impact on the environment and neighbours. The reports should also detail how the proposed development is permissible in terms of the legislation and operative scheme. So, I told this gentleman that he definitely needed to engage a town planner in order to make his idea a reality. In conclusion it is important to mention that land is the most crucial factor in developmental activities and urban growth. It is a scarce factor of production and has, therefore, to be used wisely. Considering the everincreasing population growth and the consequent increasing pressure on land there has to be optimal use of land and this requires town planners to explore expansion the options which minimize urban sprawl. For more information email us on info@mozeb.org Mobile +263772249396 Martha Nyakabawu Nyagumbo

All development proposals apart

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BULAWAYO Branch Office: 10 Pretorious Street, Donnington Tel: +263 9 475510-1 Website: www.bitumenworld.net

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ENERGY FEATURE BULK, RETAIL, COMMERCIAL AND INDIVIDUAL FUELLING OPERATIONS PLANTS Bulk, Retail, Commercial and individual fuelling operations are major key economic drivers in our country. These have been part of a great journey that has ensured the smooth flow of Zimbabwe’s development necessitated by Fueltec, which has kept our energy sector running smoothly. Fueltec was registered in 1996 and has since grown to an entity that takes pride in being involved directly in every stage of the fuel supply chain. At the helm of the organization are 26 employees dedicated to the development of this entity which is situated at No. 76 Lytton Road. With a mission to set internationally recognized standards of practice in the safe, environmentally friendly and innovative handling of fuel across the supply chain the organization has a vision to be the leading technology and services company in the region and beyond. This vision is also complemented by their core value system of safety, quality, integrity, innovation and efficiency. An end to end product portfolio that caters for the entire petroleum product supply chain has been made possible by Fueltec through forming global partnerships with world renowned brands that adhere to the same vision and values as those of the company. Among these leading brands there is Gilbarco Veeder-Root from USA which has products like the iconic Endeavour and Advantage retail pumps. These products are in service in approximately 80% of the market thus demonstrating undisputable market leadership in the sector! Class leading ZVA nozzles, Piusi self service fuelling units, LC Metres, overfill protection devices, manifolds, dip point valves, SMARTFLEX and ECOSMART HDPE piping systems, fuelling site testing consumables, oil water separators 56

BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE

and drybreak coupling which is a standard feature for all bulk fuel operators are also some of the products provided by Fueltec. These are all made available by also having partnerships with ELAFLEX GMBH Germany, PIUSI Italy, IDEX/SAMPI LC METRES Europe, LAFON France, NUPI Italia, RIGANA MARKETING CC USA, ECODEPUR Portugal, and TODO EAMCO WHEATON US. Apart from just supplying, Fueltec has also engaged in projects that range from partial contributions to turnkey solutions. Owing to a strong in-house capacity for designing, drafting, costing and implementation of projects, the organization has seen itself being part of the refurbishment and construction of some of the new service stations in the country as they also work with consulting engineers and project managers as specialists in fuelling systems for some of the projects too. Fueltec also has world class service provision which includes: Pump installation, service/ maintenance and repairs. Fuel tank and pipe work design and installation. Tank, Bulk Meter and fuel pump calibration. Fuel tank cleaning. Integrity tests for tanks and fuel pipe lines using the Accoustic method. Fuel testing services. Repairs of most fuel handling equipment. Design and installation of service station automation and ATG equipment.

To paint a picture of the scope of the products supplied and services Fueltec has rendered, we would have to mention that they have been major suppliers for companies like Total Zimbabwe Ltd, Engen Petroleum, Zuva Petroleum, Trek Petroleum, ZX Fuels, Petromoc Exor, Petrotrade, Ram Petroleum and CMED Fuels. Fueltec is also at the forefront in introducing cutting edge fuelling technologies such as automated tank gauges and remote site management systems. Usually great services and products are a result of a well planned and polished system and this is evident even in Fueltec’s policy on Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) which helps as a guide to continual delivery of excellence in all their business endeavours. Employees also have consistent and continual trainings which are facilitated by suppliers to help them understand the latest trends and products available and to help constantly improve on the SHEQ standards set by customers. An understatement would be to say Fueltec is a supplier of all products and services that are fuel related without using the word “superior”. So if you want to take your business or personal fuel needs to the next level, try something better, try Fueltec.

BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE

BIO WASTE & INNOVATION FEATURE

BIOLOGICAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Water demand in Zimbabwe has been higher than available treated water supply for many years now. Approximately 85% of water consumption returns as waste water, often carried over great distances to old treatment plants along expensive sewer mains. Sadly, this water is wasted. It is time we look at solutions that are sustainable, economical and environmentally friendly. The Biological Waste Water Treatment Plant is such a solution. The Treatment plants can be constructed on site as the process is odorless. How it works? In any housing development project, a Bio-Waste Water Treatment Plant is erected, designed to service a certain number of stands. The sewerage pipe network is then connected to 58

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the fully installed and operational Bio-Treatment Plant. At this plant (BWWTP), the incoming waste water is subjected to a number of different processes involving mechanical, organic, and chemical treatment. The result is near potable water that can be returned to a surface water source, or directed towards the nearest water treatment plant for re-supply to the residents. This process preserves all of the water that would otherwise be lost. The treated effluent goes through this treatment plant, and comes out as raw water, acceptable to the standards set out by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). Treated or raw water delivered to a town/district/area can be preserved, managed and recycled within that locality resulting in reduced costs of transporting water over great distances.

What are the benefits? Employment Creation – Non-skilled labor can be hired to maintain the treatment plant. Synchronous Treatment of Wastewater and Solids – No sludge Filtered Waste Water – Can be used for irrigation/gardening Preservation of Water – 85% of household water goes down the drain, this plant ensures that none of it is wasted. Economical – This approach means no new and expensive sewer trunk mains are required. Any related maintenance costs are also avoided. Sustainability – This process reduces costs while preserving water and creating employment.

BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE

PROPERTY LAW TITLE DEEDS

TITLE DEEDS ! FOUR OUTSTANDING FACTORS WHY MANY PROPERTIES DONT HAVE THEM. Title deeds are very valuable because they add value to immovable property through functioning as collateral security. Collateral allows an individual or company to access credit for the financing of critical aspects of business and personal life like education, purchasing a house, expanding a business’s market share etc. Its common knowledge that billionaires like Donald Trump acquired what they have now by leveraging on collateral security so title deeds are a highly sort after attribute of immovable property. But many people who own immovable property ( pieces of land, houses, flats etc) unfortunately do not have title deeds for these. Here are three outstanding factors why most of these properties do not have title deeds in Zimbabwe and perhaps many other countries. SURVEY DIAGRAM In order to register ownership of property in the form of title deeds the property must be physically identifiable. The Surveyor General is the only entity responsible for

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physically identifying property in a manner that is legitimate and undisputable. Remember boarder disputes are the major cause of war in history so physical identification of immovable property in a manner undisputable is the starting point when creating title deeds. So in order to have title deeds a survey diagram for the property must be acquired from the Surveyor General and without it there is no title deeds that can be created. As a principle you must always verify with the Surveyor General the status of land before signing an agreement of sale. Furthermore, you must shun purchases of land deemed as illegal settlements as if its leprosy. RATES CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE A rates clearance certificate is a document that certify that the seller has cleared all rates due to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) usually a municipality and ensures that the buyer starts on a fresh page. It is another critical requirement for registering title deeds. This certificate do not only safeguard the buyer from paying a seller’s water bills but it is also a Local Planning Authority’s control mechanism of also ensuring that all land developments meet

the noble standards of rural and urban planning enshrined in the law before title deeds are granted. The authorities achieve this by detecting that pieces of land for which a rates clearance certificate can be given are only those with a certificate of compliance and the certificate of compliance is given when a real estate development meets the conditions of a subdivision permit. Some of the things a subdivision permit strictly require are paving of roads, installation of sewer and fresh water systems, storm water drainage etc. In short the authorities reason that no human settlement should be permitted without such basics like water and sewer that makes living human in a civilized society. So it is wise to first go through a copy of the subdivision permit in order to ascertain whether or not a particular piece of land is in compliance before one purchases it or simply ask to be shown the certificate of compliance. TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE All sellers of immovable property must remit capital gains tax to ZIMRA (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) and a tax clearance certificate is issued to show that this legal requirement has been met. This certificate is one

of the indispensable requirements for title deeds registration. As the name imply this tax is charged on the gain or profit a seller makes after selling his house or any form of immovable property. When a seller breaks even or makes a lose the onus is upon him to prove this and with evidence tax can be wavered. There are diverse situations in as far as CTG is concerned and one of them is the selling of principal private residence in which CTG is rolled over through an option called rollover relief. Whatever the avenue opted the tax clearance certificate must be secured from the tax man in order to make title deed registration possible. Paying this tax is the responsibility of the seller so a lawyer will hold sale proceeds in a trust account and will not transfer any money to a seller before successful registration of title deeds. This is critical so that the buyer is not disfranchised on this matter. Besides the above other minimum requirements needed in order to register title deeds at the Deeds Offices in Harare and Bulawayo are an agreement of sale, proof of payment, a power of attorney etc but these are more easily secured than the former. Considering how important real estate investments are

its therefore worthwhile to engage subject matter experts like a lawyer for critical guidance along the rocky road. Engaging a lawyer when one wants to validate the authenticity of title deeds its highly recommended because title deeds sometimes happen to bear some encumbrances that laypeople do not usually understand. I will therefore, explain one called unifract.

Article courtesy of GIFT MASEKO of MASEKO LAW CHAMBERS Legal Practitioners, Advocates, Attorneys, Notaries, Conveyancers, Commissioner of Oaths, Administrators of Estates.

Unifract

Physical : 5th Flr, Harare Club Chambers

A unifract is a caveat on a title deed whose significance is that some individuals will benefit from a deceased estate by having a right to stay in a particular property of the estate for as long as they are alive. This therefore, means that the property is not free for transfer unless this caveat is lifted. A lawyer is the only professional best qualified to instantly identify this situation and to offer a remedy. Unfortunately , many buyers are defrauded their hard earned cash after paying for a property whose ownership can not be changed due to a unifract. Possessing original title deeds in itself means nothing when a person doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the far reaching implications of critical endorsements made on the document.

Email : gmaseko@masekolawchambers.com Tel : 04-2934424 / 0733 243 484 / 0773 569

Website : www.masekolawchambers.co

BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE

(04)611179/183/193/199/214/229/230

BUILDING ENGINEERING 3rd ISSUE