UN-Habitat has been supporting government authorities at national and state levels by providing technical assistance in the formulation of sustainable urbanization policies and strategies, including pro-poor and gender aspects. The country team is currently working on enhancing the institutional capacity and providing technical support with particular focus on urban and regional planning and land management of the State Ministries of Planning and Urban Development (MPPPUs). More specifically, UN-Habitat has been developing:

  • The Spatial Planning Strategy of Darfur intends to facilitate a smooth transition from humanitarian relief to early recovery, sustainable reconstruction and economic development in Darfur, by providing solutions from a spatial perspective, thus addressing the re-integration and return of IDPs in a holistic manner. It provides guidance to the government authorities and the local leaders of the five states of Darfur, in support of decision making and guiding investments as well as the implementation of the reconstruction process.
  • The Regional and Urban Planning Strategy for the Blue Nile State intends to improve the capacity of the government to plan and manage urban settlements for a better provision of services, integration of displaced people, as well as sustainable livelihood for displaced people and recipient communities.
  • Guiding principles were adopted to ensure the ownership of the concerned governmental institutions all along the process, to mainstream a participatory planning approach at the various levels to build consensus progressively and to apply conflict sensitive planning throughout the process (“Do-No-Harm” approach).
  • Finally, the Spatial Planning Strategy of Darfur proposed strategic planning elements at three levels: regional, state and local. Development corridors at regional level are routes connecting different centres of economic activity (Economic Development Areas or Nodal Towns), adjoining countries, regions and states. They are build on already-existing multimodal transport and infrastructure networks. Economic Development Areas (EDA’s) are priority areas of economic, social and infrastructure investments at the state level. Nodal Towns are centres of economic activity located strategically as border-crossings (international/national gateways) or nodes in between economic development areas (EDAs) to improve the socio-economic performance of the corridor.