The Physical Planning Department is one of the thirteen departments under the Municipal Assembly and it manages the activities of the Town and Country Planning and the Department of Parks and Gardens. The Department derives its mandate from:

• Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925)
• The Local Government (Departments of District Assemblies) (Commencement) Instrument, 2009 (L.I. 1961)
• Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936)
• National Building Regulations, 1996 (L.I. 1630)

WHAT WE DO

• Advise the District Assembly on national policies on physical planning, land use and development;
• Co-ordinate activities and projects of departments and other agencies including Non-Governmental Organizations to ensure compliance with planning standards;
• Prepare land use plans to direct and guide the growth and sustainable development of human settlements in the district.
• Assess the zoning status of lands and proposal of re-zoning where necessary.
• Process development/building permit application documents for consideration by the Statutory Planning Committees.
• Assist to identify problems concerning the development of land and its social, environmental and economic implications;
• Facilitate and participate in research into planning in the Municipality;
• Assist to offer professional advice to aggrieved persons on appeals and petitions on decisions made on their building;
• Facilitate consultation, co-ordination and harmonization of developmental decisions into a physical development plan;
• Lead in the preparation of District Land-Use Plan to guide activities in the district;
• Ensure the prohibition of the construction of new buildings unless building plans submitted have been approved by the Assembly;
• Advise and facilitate the demolition of dilapidated buildings
• Advise the Assembly on the siting of bill boards, masts and ensure compliance with the decisions of the Assembly;
• Advise on the acquisition of landed property in the public interest; and

 Undertake street naming, numbering of houses and related Issues.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL PLANNING

The physical planning department is one of the 13 departments of any municipal assembly. The department derives its mandate from:

1. Land use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 479)
2. Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462)

• National Development Planning Commission Act, 1994 (Act 479)

1. National Development Planning (Systems) Act, 1994 (Act 480);

Department is charged with the responsibility for managing orderly growth and development of cities, towns and villages. The role of the department as enshrined in the Local Government (Department of District Assemblies) (Commencement)

Instrument, 2009 LI 1961 states that:

1. The Department of Physical Planning at the District Level shall manage activities of the Department of Town and Country Planning and the department of Parks and Gardens.
2. The Department shall:
3. advise the District Assembly on national policies on physical planning, land use and development;
4. co-ordinate activities and projects of departments and other agencies including Non-Governmental Organizations to ensure compliance with planning standards;
5. assist in preparation of physical plans as a guide for the formulation of development policies and decisions and to design projects in the district;
6. Assist to identify problems concerning the development of land and its social, environmental and economic implications;
7. Advise on setting out approved plans for development of land at the district level;
8. advise on preparation of structures for towns and villages within the district;
9. collaborate with the Survey Unit in the performance of its functions;
10. facilitate and participate in research into planning in the District;
11. assist to offer professional advice to aggrieved persons on appeals and petitions on decisions made on their building;
12. facilitate consultation, co-ordination and harmonization of developmental decisions made on their building;
13. assist to prepare a District Land-Use Plan to guide activities in the district;
14. advise on the conditions for the construction of public and private buildings and structures;
15. assist to provide the layout for buildings for improved housing layout and settlement;
16. ensure the prohibition of the construction of new buildings unless building plans submitted have been approved by the Assembly;
17. advise and facilitate the demolition of dilapidated buildings and recovery of expenses incurred in connection with the Assembly;
18. ensure the prohibition of the use of inflammable materials in the construction of repair of buildings in defied areas;
19. advise the Assembly on the siting of bill boards, masts and ensure compliance with the decisions of the Assembly;
20. advice on the acquisition of landed property in the public interest; and

Undertake street naming, numbering of house and related Issues.