City Planning Department

Empowerment: Governed by the Urban and Regional Planning Act, this department manages both rural and urban planning and development.

Leadership: Strategically led by the Director of Planning, it designs and implements a long-term development framework for the district’s growth.

Structure: The department operates through seven specialized units:

1. Town Planning Section: Focuses on creating and implementing strategic town planning initiatives for a cohesive and sustainable urban environment.

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Local Area Plan Design: Develops detailed plans for future urban neighbourhood layouts and zoning.
  • Plot Numbering: Systematically assigns plot numbers for streamlined property management and development.
  • Forward Planning: Anticipates future development needs and integrates them into the planning process.
  • Transport Coordination: Collaborates on the design of transport routes and bus station locations for efficient urban mobility.

2. Buildings Inspection Section: Ensures compliance with development regulations by monitoring construction activities to enforce standards and prevent unauthorized development.

• Primary Functions:
  • Building Inspections: Conducts regular site visits to verify adherence to approved plans and building codes.
  • Detection of Illegal Structures: Identifies unauthorized developments and implements corrective or removal measures.
  • Compliance Enforcement: Coordinates with legal and administrative bodies to address non-compliance.

3. Survey Section: Plays a crucial role in defining and maintaining land boundaries and supporting spatial data management.

• Responsibilities:
  • Boundary Establishment and Re-establishment: Accurately determines property limits and re-maps boundaries as needed.
  • Road Marking: Provides clear delineation of roads for planning and safety.
  • Survey Documentation: Prepares detailed diagrams and reports for planning and legal documentation.
  • GIS Management: Integrates Geographical Information Systems to support data-driven planning decisions.

4. Socio-Economic Planning Section: Integrates socio-economic considerations into the district’s development strategies, ensuring planning efforts address community needs.

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Development Planning: Formulates projects and programs to stimulate economic growth and social progress.
  • Capacity Building: Enhances the skills of staff and community stakeholders through training.
  • Project Proposals: Crafts comprehensive proposals to secure funding for community projects.
  • Coordinating CDF Activities: Oversees the effective use of the Constituency Development Fund for local development needs.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracks project progress and assesses their impacts.
  • Research: Conducts studies to support evidence-based planning decisions.

5. Environmental Planning Section: Ensures environmental sustainability is central to all developmental initiatives.

• Mandate:
  • Environmental Assessments: Prepares detailed reports evaluating the environmental impact of proposed developments.
  • Environmental Profiling and Briefing: Creates profiles and briefs integrating environmental considerations into planning policies.
  • Environmental Education: Promotes awareness of sustainable practices among stakeholders.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assesses environmental performance for continuous improvement.