Land Use Guide : Some Mayors Edified

In a global context marked by growing challenges linked to sustainable development, rapid urbanization and climate change, decentralized local authorities play a central role in the planning and implementation of development strategies. In Cameroon, the decentralization process has given municipalities increased responsibilities in the planning and development of their territories. However, the latter encounter multiple constraints, notably lack of technical capacities, insufficiency of qualified human resources, and complexity of existing planning tools. At the same time, agricultural systems constitute an essential component of territorial planning and development. Cameroonian municipalities heavily dependent on agriculture, face challenges such as food insecurity, land degradation and the effects of climate change. The transition to sustainable agricultural systems then becomes a priority to ensure balanced and inclusive development of territories.
To respond to these challenges in connection with better planning of territorial uses at the municipal level which take these issues into account, a guide for the development of local land use planning and sustainable development plans (PLADDT) was designed in 2021 by the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), with the technical and financial support of GIZ, through the Basin Change Support Programme cotton grower of Cameroon-Rural Development Support Programme (ABC-PADER).
This guide constitutes a practical tool intended to guide municipalities in the design and implementation of PLADDTs, integrated and adapted to their local realities. To ensure effective adoption of this tool, Mayors from the North West and South West regions of Cameroon were in Douala on April 7 for a one day workshop to have a grasp on the guiding principles of the guide and to strengthen their capacities on using the guide. While in Douala, the MINEPAT representative, Ayuk Bate Ernest, said that the workshop was intended to promote the use of the guide for the preparation of local land-use and sustainable development plans by the mayors. I...