Windhoek's CBD revival plans kick-off
The City of Windhoek (CoW) has applied to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to implement a special rating area aimed at revitalising its central business district (CBD), which has seen a significant decline in investment in recent years.
In a recent interview with Market Watch, CoW official Lisa Figaji explained that the initiative would empower property owners within the CBD to use their own funds to reinvigorate the area.
“In essence, the special rating area is a model through which we request approval from our line ministry to allow us to invite applications from special rating area groups. These groups would then apply to the City to be declared a special rating area. A special rating area is simply a geographical zone,” Figaji said.
For example, "lines" would be drawn in the CBD—on Robert Mugabe Avenue and along various adjacent streets—which would then be demarcated as a specific area. “In that area, all property owners would contribute through additional levies and taxes based on their property,” she said.
The funds collected would be channelled into a dedicated vehicle that would manage the money for revitalisation efforts, Figaji explained.
“They would pay this to the City, and that money would then go to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established by property owners, who would use the funding to support the development, improvements, and revitalisation of public spaces within that geographical area,” she said.
Sustainability
The model was identified as the most sustainable approach to driving the revitalisation of the CBD, according to Figaji.
“Long-term sustainability is ensured because it is in the interest of the property owners to ensure their business and working environment is in excellent condition—attractive and conducive to business. This helps safeguard the value of the investment they’ve made in their properties,” she said.
Figaji described the implementation of the special rating area as a win-win for property owners, Windhoek residents, and the municipal council.
“It is only a win-win for all parties if the special rating area and the associated collection of funds is approved by the government. Then the private sector can truly reinvest in the community using the money they are currently paying to us,” she concluded.
In a recent interview with Market Watch, CoW official Lisa Figaji explained that the initiative would empower property owners within the CBD to use their own funds to reinvigorate the area.
“In essence, the special rating area is a model through which we request approval from our line ministry to allow us to invite applications from special rating area groups. These groups would then apply to the City to be declared a special rating area. A special rating area is simply a geographical zone,” Figaji said.
For example, "lines" would be drawn in the CBD—on Robert Mugabe Avenue and along various adjacent streets—which would then be demarcated as a specific area. “In that area, all property owners would contribute through additional levies and taxes based on their property,” she said.
The funds collected would be channelled into a dedicated vehicle that would manage the money for revitalisation efforts, Figaji explained.
“They would pay this to the City, and that money would then go to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established by property owners, who would use the funding to support the development, improvements, and revitalisation of public spaces within that geographical area,” she said.
Sustainability
The model was identified as the most sustainable approach to driving the revitalisation of the CBD, according to Figaji.
“Long-term sustainability is ensured because it is in the interest of the property owners to ensure their business and working environment is in excellent condition—attractive and conducive to business. This helps safeguard the value of the investment they’ve made in their properties,” she said.
Figaji described the implementation of the special rating area as a win-win for property owners, Windhoek residents, and the municipal council.
“It is only a win-win for all parties if the special rating area and the associated collection of funds is approved by the government. Then the private sector can truly reinvest in the community using the money they are currently paying to us,” she concluded.
