Urban policy will help drive development

The launch of National Urban Development Policy by the Government is a step in the right direction. This will guide how cities and towns will be planned. Although they contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, urban areas have not been systematically supported, developed and managed.

However, the Government has identified ills that plague urban areas with rapid urbanisation as one of the key challenges. Managing urban development is now being viewed as a national priority with the need to promote sustainable urbanisation by creating well planned, vibrant and efficient urban centres. To achieve this goal, the Government will use the policy to guide allocation of resources and serve as a framework for governance and management.