President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Urban Development Act. The bill was passed by Parliament on November 27, 2024.
The primary objective of the Act is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for defining urban areas, including their zoning, categorisation, land use, and development standards. It also aims to regulate the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban development projects across the Maldives to ensure orderly, sustainable, and legally compliant urban growth. It also aims to pave the path for increased public engagement during the phases of development.
Under the Urban Development Act, President Dr. Muizzu, upon the recommendation of the Cabinet, will formulate the national policy for urban area development in the Maldives. The responsibility for implementing these policies is assigned to the government ministry responsible for urban development, currently the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development.
Following the enactment of the Act, an Urban Development Authority will be established to oversee the preparation of the Urban Area Development Master Plan for designated urban areas. This authority will also be tasked with granting development permissions and facilitating the implementation of development activities by developers within these areas. It will operate under the ministry responsible for implementing infrastructure policies.
Three types of areas can be designated as urban areas in the Maldives, according to the Act. This includes, metropolitan areas, urban regions and urban centres. Despite the enactment of the bill, it does not include developing certain areas, such as historic and preserved areas, natural landscapes and resources, as well as types of plants which are protected.
Following the ratification of the bill, the Urban Development Act has now been enacted and published in the Government Gazette. It will come into effect six months from the date of ratification and publication.