Government of Zimbabwe (in collaboration with Harare City Council)
Mbare Musika Temporary Traders Market Redevelopment
Civil and Structural Engineering
1 Year
2024–2025
The Mbare Musika Temporary Traders Market Redevelopment was an emergency infrastructure project initiated following a devastating fire that destroyed one of Zimbabwe’s most critical fresh produce and informal trading hubs. Declared a State of National Disaster, the project required the rapid restoration of trading activities to protect livelihoods and stabilise economic activity ahead of the festive season.
UIP Africa was appointed to deliver end-to-end civil and structural engineering design alongside full project management services, ensuring the facility was delivered at unprecedented speed while maintaining structural integrity, functionality, and public safety.
The project arose from an acute national crisis. On 8 October 2024, a major fire engulfed the Mbare Traders Market, destroying thousands of trading stalls and merchandise and affecting approximately 4,695 traders, with estimated economic losses exceeding USD 2 million.
The market needed to be operational within one to three months to support trader recovery ahead of the festive trading period
Delivery under a nationally declared disaster, requiring sensitivity, urgency, and decisive coordination
Accommodating thousands of traders and customers safely within a constrained urban environment
Addressing historical deficiencies in fire safety, drainage, access, and service coordination
Coordinating government agencies, municipal authorities, contractors, and trader representatives under compressed timelines
UIP Africa adopted a fast-track, design-led delivery approach, combining technical rigor with proactive project management to meet the exceptional demands of the assignment. Our focus was on constructability, speed, durability, and compliance, ensuring rapid delivery without compromising engineering standards.
Designed a rapidly constructible portal-frame structural system spanning approximately 6,000 m², optimised for speed of erection and long-term performance
Delivered comprehensive civil engineering designs, including bulk earthworks, heavy-duty pavements, service lanes, customer parking areas, and delivery bays
Engineered an integrated stormwater drainage system to mitigate flooding risk and protect the facility during peak rainfall events
Designed and coordinated water supply and sewer reticulation systems to support sanitation, hygiene, and fire response requirements
Supported government objectives under the “Build Back Better” framework by embedding improved safety, organisation, and formalisation principles into the market layout
The Mbare Musika redevelopment stands as a benchmark example of emergency infrastructure delivery under crisis conditions, demonstrating the impact of decisive engineering leadership and coordinated execution.