Addressing System in Zimbabwe

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Addressing System in Zimbabwe

• Expert Group meeting on Situs Addressing in
  Africa

Reuben Mavima University of Zimbabwe
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Presentation Outline

• Introductory remarks
• Addressing Situation in Zimbabwe
• Addressing related projects in Zimbabwe
• Threats and Prospects

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History

• Colonial background
• Migrant workers
• Prohibited areas
• Strict enforcement
• Cities were planned from the onset

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Examples of addresses used

• A comprehensive cadastral system in place where
  all properties in the country are uniquely
  identified
  
• Stand numbers in high density residential areas
  201 Glen Norah Township mostly planned areas
  and the addressing system is very efficient
  
• Street addresses, sign posts 16 dart Road,
  Vainona, also mostly planned areas and the
  addressing system is also very efficient
  
• Inconsistent numbering in slum areas e.g.
  Epworth but there are only dust paths with
  numbered houses.
  
• Rural Addresses Village, Chief, District,
  Province
  
• Haphazard planning and numbering of new
  properties under the new housing schemes.
  

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Limitations - Threats

• Disjointed and inconsistent spatial databases
  (Surveyor General, ZESA, Lands, DNR, FC, CSO,
  etc
  
• Numbering not always logical infills and
  improper planning
  
• Sign posts largely available in urban areas but
  hardly replaced when damaged
  
• Increasing inefficiency by local authorities
• Political interference in new housing schemes
  where town planning regulations are not
  respected
  
• GIS has failed to take roots in Zimbabwe, and
  fragmented GIS projects will continue to
  flourish
  
• No organisation driving the addressing
  harmonization process
  
• ZSDI experience has shown that it is extremely
  difficult to drive a national initiative if there
  is no support from senior government officials
  
• Urban migration has created an increase in
  informal settlements

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THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE
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Opportunities

• Harmonizing existing databases if a national
  addressing standard can be developed.
  
• Support for the Zimbabwe Spatial Data
  Infrastructure with a possible national
  addressing working group

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Conclusion

• Zimbabwe has a satisfactory national addressing
  system. It will need improvements in line with
  international addressing systems
  
• Automating the addressing system is the next
  major task
  
• Population increase and new housing schemes are a
  threat to the national addressing system
  
• A pilot project would assist to convince
  government of the usefulness of a standardized
  national addressing system.