Urban planning draft unveiled

By Steve Mkawale

Kenya: The National Urban Development Policy draft aimed at creating well-planned, vibrant and efficient urban centres has been unveiled.

The draft was developed by the Civil Society Urban Development Programme in partnership with the government.

The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Mariamu El Maawy appealed to county governments and other stakeholders to scrutinise the document and give their input.

“The draft will be taken back to stakeholders for sensitisation and awareness so as to take on board the views of people who missed out in the earlier stages of its preparation,” she assured stakeholders who converged at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge for its unveiling last Friday.

She said the draft would be forwarded to Parliament before it goes on recess next month.

The policy, she said, was aimed at creating legislation in line with the Government’s effort to implement the provisions on urban development contained in Articles 176 and 184 of the Constitution that deal with devolution, classification and management of urban areas.

Among key proposals in the draft plolicy is the creation of urban areas and cities that will be efficient in resource use and service provision.

The chairman of the Transition Authority, Mr Kinuthia Wamwangi, who was among the guest speakers at the conference noted that one of the key challenges that have habitually hampered the development of urban areas had been the lack of basic needs and infrastructure such as appropriate housing, roads, water and sanitation services.

Poor transport

“As a consequence, there is poor transportation and unsatisfactory organisation structures in trade and commerce. In view of these developments, informal businesses and settlements have mushroomed.”

The proposed legislation will provide linkages between the National Government and the county governments to formulate plans for development of urban areas through investment in large-scale infrastructural programmes.