We were not able to complete the Master Plan for towns and cities due to COVID – Kumar

Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar says due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were not able to complete the Master Plan for towns and cities.

While speaking during the World Cities Day 2021, Kumar says as soon as the borders are open, the team from Singapore will be n Fiji to complete the plan.

Kumar says a master plan is very crucial as it provides a good plan as to how a city or town should grow.

She adds a master plan is not a simple process as it is based on data, scientific evidence, people’s expectation and decisions are made based on evidence.

Kumar further says without Town Planning Laws, proper Master Plans and Town Planning Schemes, all developments in the towns and cities will be hap-hazard and without any focus to the changing climate.

She says it must be recognised that planners have a difficult task of dealing with various challenges such as unsustainable development, population growth, and climate change, where urban planning becomes extremely crucial.