Chitipa district commissioner Charles Mhone has underscored the importance of adhering to regulations when implementing urban development plans.
His remarks come as the council expects to have an urban structure plan in place by the end of July 2026.
Mhone said the plan will provide a framework for managing urban development by guiding construction activities and ensuring proper land utilisation.
about the road. | Jordan simeon-phiri
He said: “Construction of buildings, both commercial and residential, has to be controlled. We do not want people to construct buildings and houses anyhow.
“The draft urban structure plan will go to management and service committees for scrutiny and, by the end of July, the full council must have approved our structure plan.”
Mhone urged stakeholders to participate in the process and take ownership of the plan to ensure it reflects the district’s development aspirations.
He also commended the World Bank, through the Regional Climate Resilience Programme, for financing the development of the urban structure plan.
In his remarks, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development deputy commissioner for physical planning Jailos Lungu expressed confidence that a draft plan will be ready in two weeks.
“I appreciate that we have started the development of this urban structure plan. We should not fail to come up with a good plan. We need to work as a team to produce a quality urban structure plan,” he said.
The four-day meeting in Karonga District has brought together council officials, planners and other stakeholders to develop a framework that will guide urban growth and development for Chitipa District.
