City of Windhoek advances informal settlement formalisation
The City of Windhoek has reached a significant milestone in its ambitious programme to formalise informal settlements, submitting its first five Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) applications to the Office of the Environmental Commissioner.
The applications, officially lodged on 29 May 2026 through the Environmental Clearance Certificate System, follow the completion of environmental assessments and a public participation process launched on 13 March 2026. During this period, residents, community leaders, and Interested and Affected Parties were invited to provide input on proposed township developments as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
The submissions mark the first phase of a large-scale initiative aimed at transforming informal settlements into planned and serviced urban neighbourhoods.
The applications are currently undergoing screening by the Environmental Commissioner, a key step before Environmental Clearance Certificates can be issued. Once approvals are granted, the process will proceed to further statutory stages, including applications to the Urban and Regional Planning Board, land surveying by the Surveyor-General, and registration by the Deeds Office.
Municipal servicing, such as water, sanitation and road infrastructure, can only begin once these processes are completed. The first batch of submissions is expected to unlock the development of approximately 3 587 residential erven, representing a substantial contribution towards addressing housing demand in the capital. However, the City has cautioned that this milestone forms part of a broader, multi-stage regulatory process.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the formalisation of informal settlements and delivering serviced land, noting that continued collaboration with regulatory authorities will be essential to expedite approvals and implementation.
The initiative forms part of a wider urban development strategy that integrates town planning, environmental management, land surveying and property registration. In total, the programme is expected to yield approximately 11 226 erven across 21 planning groups, significantly reducing Windhoek’s housing backlog and improving access to essential municipal services.
The City also expressed appreciation to residents, community leaders and all stakeholders who participated in the consultation process, acknowledging their contributions as instrumental in advancing the project.
Further updates will be provided as the applications progress through the statutory approval stages.
