The history of towns and town planning in the most rapidly urbanizing parts of the world is still a relatively neglected topic, yet what can make history worth writing, and what make some history worth reading is the understanding of all the multifarious ways in which the general stimulus is related to the particular response.
Masaka was declared a Township authority in 1953 and it was later elevated to a Town Council in 1958 with Katwe and Butego wards. It was later declared a Municipality in 1968 after its boundaries were extended to include Nyendo/ Ssenyange and Kimaanya/ Kyabakuza wards and it got its first Physical Development Plan with an area of 46sqkm.
Others in 1978, 1984 by RDC (Reconstruction and Development Corporation) and the last approved Physical Development Plan in 2015 and currently after being crowned city status, preparations for the City Physical Development Plan of 362.41sqkm in progress. The entire City has 2 Divisions i.e., Nyendo Mukungwe Division with 14 wards (Bulando, Katwadde, Kitengesa, Katwe, Butego, Kalagala, Kibisi, Kasanje, Ssenyange, Nyendo, Bulayi, Samalia, Matanga and Bugabira) and Kimaanya Kabonera Division with 11 wards (Kimaanya, Kyabakuza, Kirimya, Bisanje, Kitanga, Kakunyu, Ssenya, Kyamuyimbwa, Kiziba, Kiteredde/Kkingo, and Butale)
The process of learning and understanding the background and growth of a city can offer insight into growth, theories, personalities, crisis, organizational culture, current trends and future possibilities.
In its broadest sense, Physical Planning refers to a set of actions aimed at improving the physical, social, environment and economic welfare of a place and its dwellers.
It entails the organization of both spatial and Physical land uses so that people enjoy the highest achievable degree of efficiency, equity and sustainability in resource utilization, functionality of places and aesthetic quality.
The main concerns of urban planning therefore include spatial orderliness, aesthetics of the urban places, efficiency of operations in the social, economic and other arena, and most importantly, man’s wellbeing.
The core functions of physical planning include;
- Initiation, formulation and review of the National Land Use Policy.
- National and Regional Planning
- Standard and guidelines setting
- Provision of technical support to the local authorities
- Provision of technical and administrative support to the Urban and Regional planning which drives that at National level.
- Review of the legal framework for physical planning in the country
- Inspection and monitoring all land-based developments in the country to ensure that they conform to approve planning schemes, laws and regulation
- To monitor the manner of utilization and developments of land by various ministries and organizations to ensure compliance with national policies, standards and plans
- To liaise with local and international organizations including NGOs, CBOs, Business community that have relevance and stake in Physical Planning.
Core Section Heads
