With just weeks before Zambia heads to the polls, the Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA) has challenged all presidential candidates to make affordable housing, quality infrastructure and sustainable urban planning key priorities in their 2026 election manifestos.
The institute says the country’s future development will depend not only on campaign promises but on practical policies that improve the lives of ordinary citizens through better housing, modern public infrastructure, and well planned communities.
In a statement, ZIA President Musunka Silungwe welcomed the growing attention political parties are giving to infrastructure ahead of the August 13 General Elections, describing it as a positive step towards national development.
Silungwe said decent housing remains the foundation of a healthy and productive society, adding that transitioning from informal settlements to planned communities would improve public health, safety, and economic growth.
He also called for improvements to bus stations, markets, and trading spaces, saying such facilities directly affect the livelihoods of many Zambians. The institute further recommended a review of street food vending, citing public health and safety concerns.
ZIA urged political parties to present clear and practical plans for housing, urban planning, and public infrastructure while ensuring that all construction projects comply with Zambian laws.
The institute further encouraged aspiring leaders to work closely with local professionals, arguing that Zambian architects and other experts possess the knowledge needed to deliver realistic and sustainable development solutions.
Silungwe said citizens are becoming increasingly informed and are comparing Zambia’s development with that of other countries, making it essential for future governments to focus on delivering tangible results rather than making promises alone.
By Namakau Lishebo

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