Nazim said that urban regions will be determined based on the population of the people living in the islands, with a population of no less than 50,000 in a given area.
The cabinet has decided to conduct an extensive research to identify urban regions in atolls with a population of at least 50,000 people.
During a press conference held at the President's Office last evening, Principal Secretary to the President on Public Policy, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said that the cabinet discussed a paper submitted by the Ministry Housing, Land and Urban Development based on the development of urban centers and regions outlined in President Dr. Mohamed Muizz's presidential manifesto.
Nazim said that relevant authorities would conduct a study to identify urban regions. This process would involve seeking suggestions and consultations from the public to address the issues arising from migration.
"Therefore, the study will identify areas for urban development regions and the atolls and islands included within these designated areas," Nazim said.
He said that these urban regions would be established and developed based on the urban centers developed in the atolls.
He added that urban regions will be determined based on the population of the people living in the islands, with a population of no less than 50,000 in a given area. He further said that the Cabinet has decided to formulate policies aimed at increasing the population of an urban region to 100,000 by 2033.
Nazim said that these policies will include strategies to enhance economic benefits, including tourism and agriculture from urban regions.
While highlighting that the characteristics of urban centers were also discussed in yesterday's meeting, he said that priority will be given to islands with the potential for expansion through land reclamation.