ISOCARP pledges to assist Kenya in urban planning

By Martin Mutua

The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), has pledged to assist the Kenya government in the pursuit of specific planning programmes to address its urban challenges.

ISOCARP made the pledge at its ongoing global conference currently taking place in Wuhan China.

Representing Kenya at the conference are the ministries of Housing, Lands and Nairobi Metropolitan Development.

Housing Minister Soita Shitanda and his lands counterpart James Orengo said the government must give top priority to sorting out the urban planning challenges in Kenya as well as the construction of livable cities across the country.

The ministers made the remarks when they spoke on the sidelines of the 47th ISOCARP conference in Wuhan, China.

The meeting under the theme, “Liveable cities: Urbanizing the world. Meeting the challenge” is also being attended by Permanent Secretaries  Philip Sika (Nairobi Metropolitan) and Dorothy Angote (Lands).

Shitanda and Orengo agreed to support  ISOCARP’s efforts in dissemination and share relevant knowledge, expertise, tools, methods and experiences in sustainable human settlements and urban development efforts.

ISOCARP, founded in 1965, is a global association of professional planners and its network consists of both institutional and individual members drawn from 70 countries worldwide. It is recognized by the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

It also seeks to improve planning practice worldwide through encouraging exchange between planners, the promotion of the profession in all aspects, stimulation of research and improving awareness on major planning issues.

Last year, Kenya hosted the 46th ISOCARP congress where issues affecting urban development in poor countries were addressed.

Kenya like many developing countries is faced with a rapid urban expansion that has brought with it major pressures on service and utility systems. This is particularly true in the areas of mass transport, communications, and utilities, which are capital intensive.