The government is seeking consultants to prepare a master plan for Rasmalé, a new urban centre under construction on reclaimed land near the capital, in what officials describe as the country’s largest housing project.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning said the consultancy will be tasked with producing a plan that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and consistent with the Climate Risk Adaptive Island Planning Model, a framework designed to address the long-term risks of climate change.
Rasmalé is being developed on 1,009 hectares of reclaimed land in the Fushidhiggaru lagoon. The project is central to the government’s effort to ease the nation’s severe housing shortage, with reclamation work beginning on 18 December 2023.
Officials have designated the new city as an 'Eco City' and set the goal of making it the Indian Ocean’s first 'Zero Carbon City'. The Planning Ministry has said the development will introduce environmentally friendly innovations and advanced technologies to the country. The ministry has underlined that the master plan must serve as a long-term framework, one that anticipates the challenges of shifting weather patterns and the broader consequences of climate change.
When complete, Rasmalé is expected to provide 65,000 housing units. In its first phase, a contract for 15,000 units has already been awarded to a Chinese company. Officials have described the project as the largest housing initiative in the country’s history.
The ministry said the selection of consultants will follow the Quality and Cost Based Selection method, as required under the Public Finance Regulation. Expressions of Interest are due by 14 October.