Parliament passes Urban Development Bill
The legislation also provides for the creation of a new government agency, the Urban Development Authority (UDA).
Parliament on Wednesday passed the Urban Development Bill, which establishes a legal framework for designating and regulating urban areas.
The bill, introduced by the government on August 12 last year, received a majority vote of 70 members in favour, while 11 members, all from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), voted against it.
The MDP has expressed concerns that the bill could undermine the decentralisation system.
The primary objectives of the bill are:
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To define urban areas in the Maldives and regulate their development under a legal framework.
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To determine zones, classifications, and land use for urban and similar areas.
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To set basic standards for developing and managing urban areas and outline procedures for monitoring and addressing development projects.
The legislation also provides for the creation of a new government agency, the Urban Development Authority (UDA). The UDA will be tasked with preparing master plans for designated urban areas, issuing permits to developers, and overseeing the implementation of development activities.
