Kigali, 21st March, 2014-The two-day National Forum on Sustainable Urbanization in Support of EDPRS2 ends. The two day forum was organized by the International Growth Center (IGC), World Bank (WB) and the Government of Rwanda to deepen the understanding about sustainable urban development in line with the EDPRS2.

The Forum was held at Serena Hotel and was even attended by participants from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, USA and so many others, where during the forum they shared experiences and best practices on the subject of urbanization, and related infrastructure and housing development, and how to sustainably manage development.

Rwanda’s urban population is currently about 18 per cent, and the countries target set by the Vision 2020 is 35 per cent by 2020 for its interrelation between well managed urbanization and economic development. One important key to causing such positive effect is the facilitation of private investors and also household level investment and providing room to integrate the type of development ordinary people can afford. This, of course has to be coupled with well-set legal and institutional frameworks. This completion of the framework setting capable and flexible enough to cope with challenges is the primary task, while a good understanding of the challenges and possible pathways for them to be addressed have been developed over the course of the last years and found entry into the EDPRS2. 

In his closing remarks, Hon. Minister of Infrastructure Prof. Silas Lwakabamba noted that although urbanization does not always directly translate into growth by capita income and depends on other additional factors, the trend to living in the urban areas and accessing services at a denser level may reduce individual and household poverty by enabling and encouraging a variety of activities in the private sector. The themes discussed during the forum will help Rwanda to add viewpoints to different approaches in the improvement of urban management and should help us remember our responsibility for the future generations.

Proper planning is a core responsibility when working towards achieving the EDPRS2 targets, and the government of Rwanda has to ensure that all people will live in decent conditions. The planning, prioritization of projects, and budgeting ahead of time in mutual agreement across sectors to achieve the shared goals are crucial not only in the implementation of infrastructure development projects to prepare the ground for urban expansion and coupled increase of economic development.

We are on the right path and sometimes need to be patient and sit back and reflect our achievements, as well as the next steps to be taken. The Government of Rwanda can for example demonstrate a successful program of National Land Use planning and land registration. It can also demonstrate strategies reflecting the goal of inclusive development by choosing to direct economic investment across the country and deciding for 6 secondary cities; by planning to strengthen District Governments, and by developing the enabling environment for the increased supply of housing and with an impact of lowering of costs in the construction of housing affordable to all income levels. The Affordable Housing Policy will be further discussed during this week as we know the importance of this aspect in improving living conditions for the people of Rwanda.