Developing Countries Require More Urban Planning Capacity to Meet Growing Needs

Gilbert Siame and Muchimba Maggie Muvombo write:

Most cities in the Global South face feeble economic development, persistent conflict, environmental disaster and weak institutions, as well as legal provisions that are disconnected from the realities of their urban experiences.

Much of this is well known. Yet there is a major looming gap that is far less discussed — and which becomes particularly important as the United Nations works to finalize a new 20-year strategy on urbanization, under the auspices of the Habitat III process. Poor skills and knowledge, attributed to outdated curricula and limited financing for training and retraining, will make it extremely difficult for authorities in developing countries to implement that strategy, which is known as the New Urban Agenda and is to be finished in October.

Urban planners of the future must act creatively — and differently. The most critical aspect of urban transformation will have to involve a change in the skills and attitudes of built-environment professionals in the cities of the developing world.