Government has embarked on a consultative meeting to discuss the National Urban Planning programme which is focused on regenerating cities across the country. Local authorities from across the country converged in Lusaka, following a successful settlement selection process. The…

Government has embarked on a consultative meeting to discuss the National Urban Planning programme which is focused on regenerating cities across the country.

Local authorities from across the country converged in Lusaka, following a successful settlement selection process.

The consultative meeting, has brought together civil society organisations, chiefs, traditional leaders, Council Chairpersons, Town Clerks, Planning Directors and members of the general public to deliberate on strategies for sustainable urban renewal, slum upgrading and orderly land use management.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Senior Professional Officer for Urban Planning, Meembo Nchimunya, said the programme seeks to address rapid urbanization challenges and promote inclusive, resilient and well-planned cities in line with the National Urbanisation Policy.

“To improve the living conditions of our citizens, the views, needs and ideas of citizens must be heard and integrated into the planning process. This consultation is critical to ensure that no one is left behind in our urban planning agenda,” Ms Nchimunya said.

And Zambia Institute of Planners President, Busiku Sulwe, emphasised the need to adopt realistic planning approaches that reflect the current urban situation.

“We need to exercise approaches that accommodate existing urban realities. If we ignore the realities on the ground, we will perpetuate the very challenges we are trying to solve,” Mr Sulwe said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Zambia Homeless and Poor People’s Federation (ZHPPF), Alice Phiri, echoed her organisation’s commitment to working with the government.

“As ZHPPF, we are committed to working with the government throughout this consultation process and the actualization of the national urban planning programme. We represent the voices of the urban poor and we want to ensure our communities are part of the solution,” Ms Phiri said.

The meeting is expected to come up with a roadmap for the implementation of the regenerating cities initiative across the selected local authorities.

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