A two-day training workshop on spatial planning geared towards the implementation of an effective street-naming and property numbering system for regional and district planners has taken place in Accra.
Also at the workshop, a software on Land Use Planning and Management Information Systems (LUPMIS) was introduced. The workshop was organised by the Greater Accra Co-ordinating Council in collaboration with the Department of Town and Country Planning.
The training programme was held to allow staff of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) improve their knowledge with regard to LUPMIS in order to ensure a successful implementation of the street-naming and property numbering exercise. The platform also discussed strategies and devised a process to surmount any difficulties the MMDAs may be encountering.
In addition, the training was part of initiatives to build the capacities of MMDAs in the formulation of medium-term development plans from the year 2014 to 2017.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Afotey Agbo, delivered the opening address. He said the quest to implement an efficient street-naming and property numbering system in the region was very crucial.
He explained that in the recent past, district assemblies have lagged behind in the preparation of spatial and settlement plans, and that even where they were available, there have been enormous challenges in the management and enforcement of the planning schemes. �The fast pace of development of properties has overtaken the rate at which the assemblies are able to put in place appropriate measures and strategies for effective and efficient implementation and enforcement of local plans," he said.
Under the circumstances, Nii Agbo said a considerable number of developed properties has no authorised permits and identifiable addresses since majority of such physical developments hardly went through the laid down processes for approval by the MMDAs.
He said a number of developed properties had no properly constructed access roads leading to them and a proper layout of the areas in which the buildings were sited. He urged the participants, therefore, to take their training seriously in order to be conversant with the establishment of a user-friendly street naming and property address system in their areas.
He assured the participants that the regional co-ordinating council would continue to provide support and monitor the processes of implementation for a smooth street-naming and property numbering system.
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