By Sikhulile Dlamini
MBABANE – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is working on the implementation of a green city concept aimed at assisting towns to adapt to climate change.
This was revealed by the Director of Housing and Human Settlements, Bhekithemba Matsebula during an interview on the Eswatini Government website Tuesday (30 April 2024). Matsebula encourages all cities to set aside some land parcels for public open spaces.
“Furthermore, our towns/cities are encouraged to have in place Disaster Management Plans to offset the challenges posed by climate change. The Ministry is also pursuing the introduction of innovative housing materials that are adaptive to climate change effects.” Matsebula adds.
On another note, the director was asked on the steps to tackling the concerns from members of public about unregulated nature of the housing sector and how this leads to inflated prices, Matsebula highlighted that the ministry is cognisant of the concerns, however, over the years the ministry has made attempts to regulate the real estate sector but failed due to budgetary constraints.
“The Ministry’s efforts to regulate the real estate sector do not per se translate into regulating property prices as these are determined by the market, in particular supply and demand factors. Presently, the country operates on a free economy that does not permit the control of property prices, as such can lead to the stifling of the property industry. Property prices are determined by a host of factors such as location, architecture, neighborhood, and availability of requisite infrastructural services among others.” Matsebula explained.
