Urban growth initiative workshop held

Manama, Mar. 3 (BNA): The Urban Planning & Development Authority (UPDA), in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), concluded a five-day workshop on Capacity Building on Urban Observatories and Urban Growth Initiative. International experts and 40 specialists representing various government agencies from 12 different sectors in the Kingdom attended the workshop. UPDA CEO Shaikh Nayef bin Khalid Al Khalifa honoured the participants who passed the workshop requirements, which constitute a flexible practical framework for the development, formulation, implementation and monitoring of sustainable development policies and practices. Such policies and practices are aimed at obtaining valuable information about the city level, indicators of urban prosperity, productivity, infrastructure development and quality of life, justice and social inclusion, environmental sustainability, urban governance, and legislation, with a view to making evidence-based decisions in the cities of Bahrain. The workshop sought to ensure that all people have access to adequate, safe and affordable basic housing and services, to promote inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and the capacity to plan and manage cities in all countries in a participatory and integrated manner Sustainability. The UPDA said that the development environment could be secured through constant updating of the strategic plans based on the availability of accurate information and statistics of the cities as approved by the competent authorities, supporting the implementation of the Government Action Plan. This would enhance the culture of measurement using indicators, as well as checking regularly to ensure that they are achieved, assess challenges and take the necessary measures.