Unity_Government Funded Institute

The development and management of urban centres is one of the major challenges of our time as well as one of the most complex tasks that need to be undertaken.

The major challenges of the 21st century are urban. With the rapid urbanization now taking place in the country, the trend is towards urban development.

The concentration of development and human activities in our cities and towns have enormous implications for the urban population who find the urban environment physically, psychologically and socially taxing.

The emergence of a host of complex urban problems has posed new challenges for the urban administrators to search for new ways to make urban areas better living cities.

Urban issues relating to the process of globalization-environment problems, urban poverty, urban sustainability, the issue of urban governance and how to improve the quality of urban life are among the many issues that need to be addressed effectively.

With such complex issues arising from urbanization, it is time for the government to set up an Institute for Urban Governance which can function as a national resource and training center for urban governance and development.

It helps to facilitate research activities, provide support to academicians and individuals to undertake research and provide consultancy on urban issues.

The proposed Institute can also provide support and policy advice to the government in urban governance, development and management.

The institute which can be established with the expertise from institutions of higher learning, research organizations and government agencies will conduct academic programmes in urban planning for local government officials and others to better manage our cities and towns.

Urbanisation should lead to community spirit building. Where new urban centres are built, pro-active efforts must be taken to build a sense of community and belonging among the multi-ethnic residents which will be beneficial to our multiracial country in terms of generating goodwill, togetherness and unity.