To ensure better coordinated cities, and cross-border towns and effective measures against disasters, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has urged the EAC Council of Ministers to develop a regional urban planning policy for the bloc.

Wrapping up its latest sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, the Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution moved by MP Nancy Abisai which calls upon the Council of Ministers to establish an Urban Development Desk at the EAC to co-ordinate urban development matters in the bloc.

The resolution reads in part: "Large concentrations of people and goods providing for increased opportunities for creativity, larger labour markets, and higher levels of productivity, not to speak of the cultural and political opportunities associated with urban life is the norm.”

In addition, in order to harmonise ideas and have a regional position on Habitat 111 agenda, the Assembly urged the Council, through the EAC Secretariat, to reach a regional position on habitat matters.

The resolution states that urban planning mitigates the impacts of disasters.

Policies and programmes to reduce poverty cannot only increase the productivity of the poor in the region, but can also raise consumption, thereby boosting local economic development for the benefit of all.

Cities that are not hospitable to business and that deter investors usually represent even worse prospects for their poorest residents.

In her justification, Abisai said that population growth has doubled in a number of countries on the globe. 

Uganda and Tanzania are expected to double their population by the year 2050. Uganda, which has a populace of 39 million, is expected to have over 100 million in the next 34 years.

Tanzania, which has an estimated population of 53.7 million, people have 137 million people during the same period, according to Abisai.

Analysts contend that the recent rainstorms, mudslides and floods in the capital cities of some of the EAC partner states and other weather phenomena have exacted a devastating toll on property, human welfare, natural resources and the economies. 

The Assembly noted that more than 95 percent of all deaths caused by disasters have occurred in areas which are mostly unplanned.

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