Building a Better Mogadishu: Growth with Vision?

Mogadishu is witnessing a surge in private sector developments, with new buildings and projects reshaping the city’s skyline. This growth highlights the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its people. However, beneath this progress lies a pressing issue: the government’s lack of vision for proper urban planning and infrastructure development.

The Challenges of a City Without Zoning Laws

Mogadishu’s expansion has been chaotic, with no zoning laws or modern building regulations to guide it. Factories, homes, and businesses are springing up side by side, creating land-use conflicts and safety risks. Historical and cultural landmarks are being erased in the process, as there is no framework to protect Mogadishu’s architectural heritage or cultural identity. This lack of foresight not only jeopardizes public safety but also undermines the city’s rich history.

A Step Forward: The New Airport and Seaport

The government’s proposal for a new Mogadishu Airport is a welcome development. The current Adan Adde Airport has outlived its capacity for expansion, facing limitations that hinder its growth. Similarly, plans to relocate the old maritime port to a new location are promising, as they could alleviate congestion and unlock economic opportunities. Yet, these ambitious projects raise a critical question: is this development part of a broader vision for re-planning the city?

Key Concerns for Sustainable Development

Will these new infrastructure projects consider Mogadishu’s redevelopment as a whole? Will there be modern roads with pavements, pedestrian walkways, and cycling paths? How about a drainage system to tackle the city’s long-standing flooding issues during the rainy seasons? And what of essential utilities like electricity and clean water? These are fundamental questions that remain unanswered.

Additionally, what will happen to those living in areas designated for the new airport and seaport? Their ancestral lands, farms, and livelihoods are at stake. Will the government provide fair compensation or alternative solutions?

Environmental and Social Impacts

The unchecked expansion of Mogadishu raises serious environmental concerns. As the city sprawls beyond its traditional boundaries — once marked by Ex-Control Afgoi, Karan’s Keysaney Hospital, and Maslah’s military base it encroaches on farmlands and disrupts ecosystems. Wildlife habitats are being destroyed, and the city’s growing footprint threatens to exacerbate environmental degradation.

Recent government actions, such as adding new districts to the Benadir region, also warrant scrutiny. Were these expansions conducted with the consent of the local populations, who may now find themselves stripped of their connections to Middle and Lower Shabelle? What benefits will these communities gain in exchange for being integrated into Mogadishu’s jurisdiction?

The Call for Expertise and Youth Involvement

The absence of zoning laws and building regulations highlights a broader issue: the lack of expertise in urban planning. Why hasn’t the government engaged architects, city planners, and environmental experts to create a sustainable vision for Mogadishu? Without such measures, the city risks becoming an uninhabitable sprawl.

I am deeply concerned about the trajectory of Mogadishu’s development. It is disheartening to see the city grow without a plan, leaving no room for public spaces, youth sports facilities, or green areas. Our generation has the energy and creativity to influence change, but we must act now.

A Vision for the Future

Mogadishu’s youth must demand better. We need to advocate for sustainable urban planning that prioritizes safety, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. We must ensure that development serves all citizens, not just a select few.

The decisions we make today will define Mogadishu’s future. If we continue to build without a plan, we will face consequences that cannot be undone. Let us rise to the challenge and ensure that Mogadishu becomes a city we are proud to call home a city that embodies progress, sustainability, and dignity for all.