Urban planning is a process associated with master plans. In many of the Programme’s partner cities, these plans are prepared by external actors, often international consultancy firms procured by national governments. Too often, the master plans lack implementation on the ground.
Urban expansion planning is a simple, cost-effective way for cities to proactively plan for their growth. It involves gauging the amount of land needed for growth, preparing a grid of arterial roads in the urban periphery before it is developed, and securing the rights of ways for the roads before urban development happens.
Urban expansion planning can complement master plans with a clear focus on enabling municipal staff to prepare and implement the plans. A first cycle of city consultations and workshops were organised at the beginning of partner cities' collaboration with Cities Alliance, followed by a facilitated regional dialogue across participating countries to learn from different systems and experiences.
A design phase with each city follows to adapt plans to the local context. The below maps illustrate the need to plan for the fast urbanization trends of partnering cities. A dialogue with Nobel Laureate Dr. Paul Romer further underlines the relevance of urban expansion planning for rural to urban migration management.