A NEW National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) is currently in its draft form.
Minister for Lands, Housing & Survey Moses Garu highlighted this at the opening of a three days Solomon Islands National Urban Conference (SINUC) held in Honiara, Monday.
“The new proposed National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) currently in draft form and to allow the group to make a thorough review of the contents,” he said.
He said “this is one of DCC government’s flagship policies.”
The first SINUC is a grand opportunity to enable the provincial government representatives, chairman of provincial boards and provincial planners and lands officers to discuss (our) challenges which kept on hindering sustainable and lasting urban future.
“As you would note the programme will also set the stage for the new proposed policy which currently in is draft form adding the interest and support from both international and national stakeholders have so far been very encouraging.”
The SINUC covers a range of topics including planning for climate change, informal settlement upgrading, proposed national urbanisation and housing policies, provincial planning issues, and new and proposed initiatives such as the Land Board, Strata Titles, and subdivision planning and legislative reforms.
Also the workshop looks at why urban planning seems to be lagging behind in terms of transforming urban development at an anticipated pace and scale.
It will conclude today.
By STEPHEN DIISANGO
