President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially ratified the Urban Development Act, which was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, during the 55th sitting of the 20th Majlis.
The primary goal of the Urban Development Act is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of urban areas in the Maldives. This includes defining zoning, land use, categorization, and setting development standards. The Act is also designed to regulate the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban development projects, ensuring that growth is orderly, sustainable, and in line with legal requirements.
Under the new Act, President Dr. Muizzu, upon the Cabinet's recommendation, will be responsible for formulating the national policy regarding urban area development. The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development will oversee the implementation of these policies, focusing on infrastructure development.
As part of the provisions, an Urban Development Authority will be established. This new body will manage the preparation of Urban Area Development Master Plans for designated urban zones. It will also be responsible for granting development permissions and facilitating the execution of development projects by developers within these areas. The Authority will function under the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development.
With the President’s ratification, the Urban Development Act has now been officially enacted and published in the Government Gazette. The law will come into effect six months from the date of ratification and publication, marking a significant step in shaping the future of urban development across the country.
The primary goal of the Urban Development Act is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of urban areas in the Maldives. This includes defining zoning, land use, categorization, and setting development standards. The Act is also designed to regulate the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban development projects, ensuring that growth is orderly, sustainable, and in line with legal requirements.
Under the new Act, President Dr. Muizzu, upon the Cabinet's recommendation, will be responsible for formulating the national policy regarding urban area development. The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development will oversee the implementation of these policies, focusing on infrastructure development.
As part of the provisions, an Urban Development Authority will be established. This new body will manage the preparation of Urban Area Development Master Plans for designated urban zones. It will also be responsible for granting development permissions and facilitating the execution of development projects by developers within these areas. The Authority will function under the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development.
With the President’s ratification, the Urban Development Act has now been officially enacted and published in the Government Gazette. The law will come into effect six months from the date of ratification and publication, marking a significant step in shaping the future of urban development across the country.
