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The great challenge to curtail a growing population and urban growth

THE newly launched Honiara Urban and Development Report has highlighted that Honiara city lacks urban planning and design.

The report also revealed that by 2050 the Honiara region will have grown from a current population of about 100,000 to possibly 350,000.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Survey, the Hon Moses Garu, in launching the report, said development and population growth is increasing and that it is time for responsible authorities and stakeholders to proactively work together to curtail the incoming of population and urban growth.

An envisaged urban population of 350,000 (over 10,600 a year) in just another 33 years will present huge challenges with an increased risk of substantial infrastructure, housing, transportation, health and social problems.

Mr Garu is correct to have said, “We all need to start working proactively together now to ensure that urban growth underpins prosperity, and does not result in more inequality and poverty,”

He was also right to have said, “The Honiara land tenure system needs to create a clear balance between customary tenure and state rules of tenure.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short