The State of Public Space in Lusaka: Garden Cities, Urban Development, Greenfield Sites

Abstract

Lusaka, a city of around three million people, faces massive urban growth challenges. Designed on the Garden City planning paradigm principles, the city currently lacks open public recreational spaces. The lack of public space is often linked to the high land value alongside the high demand for housing, the lack of national government prioritization of public space provision policies, and a general lack of financial resources available to Lusaka's local council.
This article explores the state of formal public spaces in Lusaka, its urban history, development patterns, and the effects of these factors on everyday life and social interactions. It also outlines different private sector attempts to make up for the lack of public spaces through the provision of private green spaces (e.g., green private entertainment centres, private play parks, private back yards, and front yards) and the commercial units and malls that cover some public space functions. It asks questions on where kids play (e.g., private play parks, mall play parks, etc.) and highlights the design elements preventing streets from becoming lively public spaces (e.g., walls and roads).
The article also examines Lusaka's plans for creating green and open spaces networks inside the city and their applicability. It studies public space provision plans in Lusaka's Development Plan 2030 and older public space provision attempts. It highlights the urgency and the importance of taking serious steps towards public space provision in the city now. The article used field research, mapping, desktop research, and interviews.