Urban Development: Stakeholders Drilled On Integrated Approach

They are being schooled in a three-day workshop in Yaounde, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Central Africa.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has organised a seminar to train decision makers and experts on how to effectively integrate urbanisation in development planning.

The opening of the ongoing three-day seminar in Yaounde yesterday June 4 was chaired by representatives of UNECA, UN Habitat and the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT).

The training is part of a UN ‘development account’ project being implemented in Cameroon, Cape Verde, Morocco, Uganda and Zambia. It is aimed at strengthening the capacity of these countries to design and implement strategies and policies that promote inclusive and sustainable cities.

Semia Tapia, Coordinator of the Project told participants that Cameroon could tap from the experience of countries that initially tried to stop population growth in their cities, but are now trying to make the cities habitable for the ever-growing number of dwellers.

She said 50 per cent of Cameroonians live in urban centres and like everywhere else, the youth population in rural and suburban areas will continue to move to the cities for better opportunities and facilities.

She noted that just like the industrial and digital revolution, the urbanisation is inevitable and irrepressible. In the face of this, she suggested countries should prepare cities for the population by making them inclusive, safe, and resilient; free from the negative impacts of overcrowded and unplanned urbanisation like rising crime rates, economic dualism, and increased inequality, growth of slums and rising vulnerability of the poor.

Njie...