Harare set for another open streets event

The first open streets event in Highfiled last year (File pic)

Bridget Mabanda

The City of Harare is set to host its second open streets event on February 25, 2023 at Ridgeway North in Harare from 1200 hours to 1600hours.

Speaking to Zimbabwe Now, Harare’s acting City Planner, Judith Mujegu, said they want open streets to be common in Zimbabwe.

“Open streets is a car-free space that connects communities through healthy recreation, creation, creative expression, local economic activity and alternative forms of transport.

It is not yet common in Zimbabwe, and this is our second time to have such an event. The last time we held the open streets in Highfield last year, children were happy as they were doing many activities in a car-free road,” she said.

She added that the purpose of the open streets is to ensure that all people in the community have a chance to use the road.

Activities on the day include cycling, skating, jogging, walking, dancing, sharing books, planting a tree, taking care of the environment for the community, painting or simply watching the streets come to life.

Meanwhile, the City has proposed temporary road closure of Ridgeway North, which is between St Michaelslane and Steppes Road in Borrowdale on February 25, 2023 to pave way for the event from 1200hours to 1600hours.

The road will be closed to promote active mobility and the council will be recommending road users to utilise informative signs and as directed by enforcement agents on site.

In other countries, Open Streets programmes transform streets into public spaces open to all.

These transformations allow for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, and provide new ways for people to enjoy cultural programming and build community.