GASABO - Kigali City officials will reveal the town’s new commercial hub, the Central Business District (CBD), and a new residential area as they launch the city’s 50-Year Master Plan, in Remera today.

Detailed physical planning of the CBD shows that it will be located in the actual areas of Muhima, Kiyovu, Quartier Mateus, Quartier Commercial and Kimicanga, a statement released by the city administration revealed.

The new residential hub is to be located in Kinyinya area, Gasabo District.

"The detailed physical plans clearly outlines the detailed use of land, assigns standards by which we must develop and outlines the infrastructure, physical and social amenities that will be provided in these planned areas,” the city’s communication unit wrote in the statement released yesterday.

Available facts show that some of the areas where the new CBD will be hosted have been prepared while many other residents in places earmarked for this establishment will have to be expropriated.

Some investors have also started negotiations with the city administration to develop modern commercial structures in the area.

"Some of the investors include the Social Security Fund of Rwanda (CSR) but the Urban Planning Unit has more details on more investors,” an official at Kigali City Council (KCC) said.

The city administration invited top government and local officials, representatives of the United Nations’ habitation arm (UN Habitat), investors and the general public to unveil the Kigali City’s general conceptual Master Plan slated to take place at the small stadium (Petit Stade) in Remera.

KCC officials are also in campaigns to have city residents on their side as they try to give Kigali a new look.

"The master plan is about ensuring hygiene and developing a modern city,” Mohamed Ghani, one of the residents of Nyamirambo Sector answered when KCC’s Social Affairs Vice Mayor, Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba asked him about Kigali City Master Plan.

Gakuba and other leaders of the city toured different areas of the town on Thursday to assess the level of improvements in hygiene, construction, and sensitisation of the residents on the Master Plan.

The plan was developed by an American firm called OZ International and was approved by cabinet in June last year.

Construction work in many Kigali City areas had been halted and many residents expropriated to enable planned real estate development.

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