Property owners near Amahoro Stadium given deadline for ‘housing redevelopment’

The City of Kigali has written to landowners around Remera Sports Hub in Gasabo District to submit their ‘housing redevelopment designs’ within two months so as to get construction permits and use their land in line with the city master plan, The New Times has learnt. Redevelopment involves any new construction to change the area by replacing old buildings with new ones or upgrading the existing ones. ALSO READ: Government to develop a sports hub in Remera Remera Sports Hub comprises the newly upgraded 45,000-seat Amahoro Stadium, 10,000-seat BK Arena, and Petit Stade. The area also accommodates Zaria Court, an urban development sports and hospitality project under construction. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Inside proposed Zaria recreational hub in Kigali The city also plans to develop an aquatic centre with swimming pools and other recreational amenities. A letter by the City of Kigali to property owners says that the housing redevelopment around the sports hub is based on the implementation of Kigali City Master Plan, which describes the area as a “Priority Zone of Master Plan Implementation.” The letter says landowners must submit Parcel Cadastral plans within two months and start construction activities one month after obtaining the construction permits. Failure to do so, the letter says, will result in authorities taking further measures by applying the 2021 law on land which deals with undeveloped land. According to a July 2024 ministerial order, if land located in an area where the master plan implementation has begun, or in a ‘prime area’ established by the City of Kigali or district council, remains unexploited, the landowner loses the right to it. Authorities appoint a property valuer to assess the land and incorporated property, according to the order. The valuation amount, minus the cost of works done, is paid to the landowner, and the land is immediately registered to the new purchaser. ALSO READ: Why some land owners may have their tenures revoked City designates the zone as ‘Prime Area’ Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, a spokesperson for City of Kigali confirmed that they wrote to the owners of properties located near the Remera Sports Hub asking them to upgrade their buildings since the zone is considered as “Prime Area” in need of urgent redevelopment. A prime location is a highly desirable commercial property location with excellent accessibility, visibility, and high foot traffic. The order by the Ministry of Environment on requisitioning land that remains unexploited “shows that the area around Amahoro Stadium and BK Arena is a Prime Area. This means that it requires urgent development and upgrading to attract investors,” Ntirenganya told The New Times. “Amahoro Stadium and BK Arena host a big number of people and they need standard accommodation, housing and recreational facilities,” Ntirenganya explained. ALSO READ: City of Kigali vows to repossess unexploited prime land property She said facilities in need of upgrading in the prime area include residential and commercial houses. “We wrote to each concerned landowner depending on the type of building they have. There are those who already have buildings with required standards and they will not be affected. Others have old and substandard buildings that do not deserve to be in a prime area. They have been asked to upgrade.” She said those who received letters are in two categories. “There are those required to develop their land in line with the master plan and have to replace existing buildings. The second category comprises landowners who were required to improve hygiene and sanitation. Some of such facilities were temporarily closed,” she said. Ntirenganya said that 52 landowners had been told to replace their buildings and to design new housing projects on land within two months. The City of Kigali has urged landowners who have any difficulties in implementing the recommendations to consult authorities for further guidance.

News

Property owners near Amahoro Stadium given deadline for ‘housing redevelopment’