Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haider Ahmed has suggested that the 55 islands in the Maldives with populations under 500 may need to consider alternative development approaches. Speaking to local media on Saturday, Dr. Haider highlighted the government’s strategy of establishing urban centers to more effectively serve the population.
Dr. Haider explained that the Maldives has 186 inhabited islands, of which 55 have fewer than 500 residents. Providing basic services to these smaller islands would require significant government spending, which he described as unsustainable without a consolidation program.
Instead, the government plans to concentrate resources in designated urban centers, creating service hubs that would eventually support at least 100,000 people each. This approach aims to ensure residents have access to essential services without the excessive expenditure associated with supporting widely dispersed populations.
To achieve this, Dr. Haider said the government intends to encourage residents to relocate to these urban centers for better access to quality services. Currently, the northern urban development zone has a population of 55,000, and the southern zone approximately 50,000, according to data from the Housing Ministry.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development identified locations such as R. Ungoofaaru, B. Eydhafushi, Lh. Naifaru, Adh. Mahibadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, and L. Fonadhoo as focal points for urban center development.
As part of its broader policy to align population distribution with development goals, the government has proposed a bill to formally establish these urban centers. This legislation is currently under review by the National Development Committee and the Decentralization Committee, which are working jointly to finalize the proposal.
Dr. Haider explained that the Maldives has 186 inhabited islands, of which 55 have fewer than 500 residents. Providing basic services to these smaller islands would require significant government spending, which he described as unsustainable without a consolidation program.
Instead, the government plans to concentrate resources in designated urban centers, creating service hubs that would eventually support at least 100,000 people each. This approach aims to ensure residents have access to essential services without the excessive expenditure associated with supporting widely dispersed populations.
To achieve this, Dr. Haider said the government intends to encourage residents to relocate to these urban centers for better access to quality services. Currently, the northern urban development zone has a population of 55,000, and the southern zone approximately 50,000, according to data from the Housing Ministry.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development identified locations such as R. Ungoofaaru, B. Eydhafushi, Lh. Naifaru, Adh. Mahibadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, and L. Fonadhoo as focal points for urban center development.
As part of its broader policy to align population distribution with development goals, the government has proposed a bill to formally establish these urban centers. This legislation is currently under review by the National Development Committee and the Decentralization Committee, which are working jointly to finalize the proposal.
