SUVA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Fiji is overseeing a city development plan in collaboration with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to improve urban planning, an official said on Wednesday.
Speaking to key stakeholders and representatives from respective municipal councils at a meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, Fiji's Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar said that the ministry is overseeing the development of a Master Plan and discussing integrated urban solutions ideal for Fiji's towns with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise.
Urban town centers in Fiji need an urgent review of its plans as planning schemes for the cities of Suva, Lautoka and Nadi are outdated and the Fijian population was increasing, Kumar said, adding that the strategic Master Plan will determine the location, size and boundary of the urbanized area for Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, by examining the major transport connectivity within the mainland and to the surrounding outer islands.
The plan will also indicate the land use zones to guide development. The urbanized areas will be considered in tandem with the existing nature reserves and significant water bodies to ensure the preservation and sustainable use.
According to Kumar, a more detailed approach will be taken based on the Singaporean experience with accumulated knowledge gained from planning in other parts of the world.
Some of the areas that the strategic Master Plan will address includes major transportation, land use planning and zoning, major historic, tourism and nature sites covering land and waterways, the tourism industry and urban settlements.
