Anambra, with its population of over 4 million people in 2006, is the second most urbanized states in the country, having 62% of its total population living in urban areas. Unfortunately, past Governments since creation of the State in 1991 have failed to adopt city development strategies for the many fast growing cities in the State to cope with rapid urbanization.

Following decades of neglect and poor urban governance, the profiles of these cities indicate that they are characterized by decayed inner and suburban sprawling slums, inadequate sanitation, uncontrolled street trading, mountains of uncollected wastes, overcrowded and congested transport systems and roads with poor drainages, noise and air pollution.

It was for the purpose of reversing this ugly and undesirable trend that His Excellency Government of Peter Obi forged a viable technical cooperation agreement with the UN-HABITAT in 2007 to provide technical assistance in the preparation of structure plans for three cities, namely Awka Capital Territory, Nnewi and Onitsha.

The goals of the structure plans are towards achieving environmental sustainability in the context of achieving State and Local Economic Development Strategies, Millennium Development Goals and Habitat Agenda, orderly and healthy development, the contributions of cities to sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, good governance and gender empowerment.

This Report, which is the structure plan for Awka, is a tangible outcome of this cooperative effort. For the next 20 years, the Structure Plan envisions that Awka Capital will be planned and developed to greatly enhance its ‘administrative, industrial, commercial and educational roles and its rapid contributions to poverty reduction, employment generation, participatory development, good governance, tourism development and environmental sustainability.

The publication contains the spatial analysis of Gardho, a town in the Puntland State of Somalia.

This publication presents the results of the urban spatial analysis carried out by UN-HABITAT experts under the guidance of municipal authorities. The analysis gives a basic spatial understanding of the town and highlights concrete challenges and priority areas of intervention. A proposed strategic urban development plan is also presented.

The publication documents the process undertaken by the Sheikh Municipality, records the outcomes of the first broad consensus on urban issues, priority interventions and action plans, introduces the spatial analysis as a tool for strategic planning, and provides a comprehensive methodological tool for strategic urban planning.

The publication contains the spatial analysis of Garowe, the capital city of the Puntland State of Somalia.

This publication presents the results of the urban spatial analysis carried out by UN-HABITAT experts under the guidance of municipal authorities. The analysis gives a basic spatial understanding of the town and highlights concrete challenges and priority areas of intervention. A proposed strategic urban development plan is also presented.

The publication describes a city profile of Hargeisa, Somaliland. It serves mainly to inform civil society organisations and local urban planners of the challenges regarding general developmental issues and the spatial framework of the city.