The City of Kigali (CoK) is challenging architects to design projects that comply with the city master plan. This, according to Lillian Mupende, the director of Kigali One Stop Centre, would also reduce the time taken to get a construction permit.

The advice comes hot on the heels of Monday’s launch of the online Construction Permit Management Information System that is meant to make the acquisition of construction permits faster and simpler.

Some of the major details that CoK is asking architects to capture in their projects include the functionality of the building in line with the master plan.

Mupende says the architect should look at the context of the project, understand the surrounding environment and how the project would affect it and vice versa.

Citing the $20 million Kigali Heights Development (KHD) project, which is expected to be completed by 2015, Mupende said, "If people are attending conferences and summits at the Kigali Convention Centre, then they will definitely be attracted to go to the opposite KHD for quick lunch or shopping, because these two buildings will complement each other.”

KHD will be constructed opposite Kigali Convention Centre, on an 11,000 square metre land formerly occupied by the Kacyiru Post Office. It will consist a seven-storey and 10-storey buildings, designated for offices, supermarkets and different retail shops that will attract clients of Kigali Convention Centre which will mainly offer hotel and conference services.

Another project that also caught the attention of CoK is Prime Excellence Kigali, a multiple-purpose building under construction in Nyarugenge District.

"This is clearly a building for the public since its edge is for pedestrians. So, architects should know that it is important to give back to the public who are their clients,” Mupende said during an interview recently, adding that environment protection should also be considered before one can apply for a permit.  

While some architects previously sought permits for projects that did not consider the existing topography, the Early Childhood Education Centre, to be developed in Masaka is believed to have followed a positive approach.

A part from having a child friendly environment where no car is allowed inside, the project whose architects include Landmark Studios, a local company is commended for adapting the terrain, rather than cutting the hill.

According to CoK, the more people cut into hills, the more the land loses its strength.  

Mayor’s Award

The best practices in architectural design would be eligible for the mayor’s award scheduled to commence in September. 

According to the CoK mayor, Fidele Ndayisaba, the award aims at recognising quality projects that meet basic requirements.

Ndayisaba believes this will spur architects into designing projects that will not be delayed or be returned for corrections.

"Winners will save time while also getting an added advantage of showcasing their designs,” he said.

Construction permits within a couple of days

The city has divided the issuance of permits into three phases named 10-10-10. According to this system, one can obtain construction permit in 10 days if the One Stop Centre is satisfied with all requirements of the design.

If it has a problem, CoK will communicate to the architect who has to revisit the project in the next 10 days and resubmit it for the last response in the third and last phase.

Paulin Rurangangabo, an entrepreneur in Kicukiro said he applied for a permit to build a petrol station and got it in less than three weeks, while in 2009 he applied for one to build an apartment and was asked to wait for almost a year.

"This time, when you have all the requirements, three weeks is the maximum to get rewarded a permit,” he said.