Town Planners Commemorate World Town Planning Day

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The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Survey observed World Town Planning Day with a ceremony attended by key figures including Permanent Secretary Stanley Waleanisia, former Director of Physical Planning Rowley Wanega, current Director of Physical Planning Cindy Vunagi, and Director of Housing Joan Toben on Friday, November 8th,

During the event, Permanent Secretary Mr. Stanley Waleanisia highlighted the importance of World Town Planning Day as a chance to recognize the critical role of comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable planning in improving community life.

Town Planners play a crucial role in implementing the National Urbanization Policy, which Honourable Polycarp Paea, the Minister for Lands, highlighted in Parliament as one of the GNUT’s key priority for Ministry of Lands for the next four years.

Waleanisia emphasized that effective planning goes beyond infrastructure to foster thriving and equitable communities. He urged ministry planners to remain passionate about their work, inspiring innovation and community-focused planning.

The occasion also marked the resurrection of the Solomon Islands Planning Association, with the aim at bringing together town planners and urban development experts to collaborate on addressing urban challenges faced in Honiara today, such as rapid urbanization, wastewater management, solid waste management, informal settlements, and climate change impacts.

The Ministry welcomed visiting urban planner Mere Naulumatua from Fiji, who shared insights on the advantages of forming a planners’ association. Citing Epeli Ha’uofa’s “Sea of Oceans,” she encouraged using the ocean as a connecting pathway for sharing experiences and knowledge despite geographical distances.

ENDS///

GCU Press Release

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