Parliament has approved the Urban Development Bill sponsored by the government and referred it to the Joint Committee on National Development and Tourism and the Committee on Decentralization for further review.

The Bill submitted by Villingilli MP Aazim Abdul Azeez on behalf of the government was passed by 61 voutes out of 74 members present in the session. 11 members voted against accepting the Bill.

The purpose of the Bill is to regulate the designation of urban areas and the development of such areas in the Maldives under a strong legal framework. In addition, the Bill will define zones, classifications and land use of urban areas, basic criteria for the development and operation of such areas, and rules for monitoring and taking action against development projects in urban areas.

The Bill would define areas with a total population of more than 150,000, including cities, as metropolitan areas. If the total population of the area, including urban centers, exceeds 50,000, it will be classified as an urban region. If the total population exceeds 10,000 with the fulfillment of the requirements to be classified as a city, it will be defined as an urban center.

According to the Bill, urban areas will be determined by the President on the advice of the Minister.

The Bill further provides that the areas so designated are within the jurisdiction of a local council but the Urban Development Authority shall have all powers to plan and develop the area. The councils will only look after the municipal services in the area.

According to the Bill, the Urban Development Authority will transfer all the legal responsibilities, property and facilities as well as staff of the Urban Planning and Urban Development Department under the Planning Ministry to the authority. The authority will be responsible for the planning and development of such areas under an agreement with the council of the area.