Africities Summit: African Network of Urban Agencies launched at Morocco’s initiative
An African Network of Urban Agencies and similar institutions was launched on Thursday in Kisumu, Kenya, at the initiative of Morocco.
The network was launched during the 9th edition of the Africities Summit held this May 17-21.
The initiative, crafted in partnership between the Federation of Urban Agencies of Morocco “MAJAL” and the Ministry of National Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, has been widely supported by organizations in charge of urban planning from over a dozen African countries.
The network aims to structure and coordinate the sharing of knowledge, experiences and good practices in urban design. It also aims to be a space for designing robust local urban planning policies for a better life, in addition to promoting the role of the Urban Agency as an instrument and a primary tool to ensure urban planning for harmonious and balanced development.
In the declaration creating the network, the stakeholders affirmed that strengthened cooperation between cities and territories is essential to support the collective effort and create an alliance of good practices in urban planning.
The members of the network also highlighted the achievements and efforts of Moroccan urban agencies, which have developed proven expertise in urban planning.
Addressing a session on intermediate cities, Thursday, Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri said that Morocco has developed a renewed, anticipatory and forward-looking urban planning.
“To accompany, anticipate and take advantage of urbanization, the Kingdom of Morocco has opted for urban planning documents as a reference for the consolidation of the rule of law and territorial equity, through a renewed anticipatory and forward-looking urban planning,” she said in a speech read out on her behalf.
Morocco’s efforts have also focused on a modernized and strengthened urban management through an unprecedented process of digitization, she said, adding that this process has helped strengthen the resilience of the country during the health crisis, maintain public service including health and education, and foster innovation while developing a Moroccan digital experience.
Africities summit is considered as the main platform for dialogue on decentralization and local governance that brings together every three years government officials, mayors, leaders and elected officials of local and regional governments, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, representatives of the African diaspora, economic actors, experts, researchers and academics, financial institutions and development partners.
The 9th Africities Summit is held under the topic: “The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063.”
The previous Africities edition was held in Marrakesh in November 2018.
