The bill submitted on behalf of the government, proposes categorizing Maldivian territories into metropolitan areas, urban regions, and urban centres based on population size.
The government has introduced a bill to define urban regions and grant the Urban Development Authority the authority to develop them.
The bill, submitted to Parliament by ruling party People's National Congress (PNC) Vilingili MP Azim Abdul Azeez on behalf of the government, proposes categorizing Maldivian territories into metropolitan areas, urban regions, and urban centers based on population size.
- A Metropolitan Area is defined as having a population exceeding 150,000
- An urban region will have a population of more than 50,000
- An urban center will have a population of more than 10,000
According to the bill, an urban area will be defined as a region within the jurisdiction of a local council, but the Urban Development Authority will have sole authority over all planning and development decisions for that area, while local councils will retain oversight of municipal services only.
The bill proposes the establishment of an Urban Development Authority, which will assume all legal and operational responsibilities in addition to property, resources and employees previously held by the Urban Planning and Urban Development Department under the Ministry of Planning. The Authority will manage planning and development activities through agreements with the respective local councils.
For currently uninhabited areas, the Urban Development Authority will have full control over planning and development initiatives.
Urban areas will be developed in designated zones for various purposes, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and special uses.
Additionally, the bill mandates the preparation of an urban development master plan for these areas, which will be aligned with the National Development Plan.
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