Why planning and management? ACCORDING TO UN ESTIMATES, THE LARGE POPULATION GROWTH EXPECTED IN THE COMING DECADES WILL CONCENTRATE IN URBAN AREAS OF THE LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND AMONG THE POOREST POPULATIONS. This phenomenon will occur in cities of medium profile, whose planning and management capacities are weak, favouring the expansion of urban slums deprived of key basic services, requiring that cities are equipped with urban planning and management instruments that enable them to absorb this growth.
What is the role of associations?
By 2025, it is projected that Mozambique be the fourth most urbanised country in the region, after Botswana, South Africa and Angola (Cities Alliance Country Programme). The country is developing planning tools that are similar to their Brazilian counterparts, for example those defined by the Lei de Ordenamento do Territorio, 2008. For the first time in history, this law enables and obliges local authorities to plan for growth and expansion and to define services. Nevertheless, the fiscal power of municipalities remains very limited.
THE ROLE OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES ‘ ASSOCIATIONS AND NETWORKS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO SUPPORT CITIES to define their needs and priorities, capitalize their knowledge and share with peers, create strategic partnerships to fulfill knowledge gaps and be informed on initiatives and opportunities to support their development. Their role is crucial to create awareness amongst members, partners and politicians of the development agenda.