Construction Boom in Mogadishu Boosted by Real Estate Recovery
(AWP) - The Somali capital, Mogadishu, has witnessed notable urban growth since the end of the country’s civil war, and the ensuing relative calm and stability has enabled Somalis to embark on the construction of new residential complexes, especially in the suburbs.
The new al-Jazeera Estate is an example of the up-and-coming housing projects currently underway in Mogadishu. The project’s manager confirms that the area will provide residents with all the basic necessities of life.
“We are currently constructing new homes in the al-Jazeera neighbourhood, specifically two-storey buildings. We hope that this area will turn into a new neighbourhood in the capital, Mogadishu, where all of the basic life services are available, from markets, schools, health facilities and water, to entertainment and leisure areas. We already have an area where residents of the capital come to spend the weekend,” said Ayub, Manager of the al-Jazeera Estate project.
According to Somali architect Ahmed Ibrahim, who works on the same project, the development company “is working on constructing new buildings in this residential neighbourhood in the al-Jazeera area.”
“For the most part, the residential units in these buildings have 6 rooms, though some have five. The construction process is going smoothly. This neighbourhood will be suitable for living, and will have all of the basic services available to make it a liveable area,” Ibrahim explained.
Abdul Razek Ali, Director of the International Bank of Somalia (IBS Bank), is convinced that the population growth in Mogadishu makes it crucial to expand and build new residential projects across the capital.
“There is a strong need for new residential buildings, because Mogadishu is considered one of the top African cities in terms of population growth,” he said.
“In response to this need, the bank has adopted a policy of building new residential complexes. Mogadishu’s population currently exceeds 4 million people, but the increase in population has not been accompanied by urban growth, which is why we are trying to contribute to the construction of new residential units,” Ali added.