At 3rd edition of Urban Planning Days: Douala authorities school residents on importance of building permits.

It was aimed at shaping the Douala of tomorrow through collaborative, sustainable, and forward-thinking urban planning.

Presided by the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, the opening ceremony emphasised government’s backing for structured urban growth. 

Douala City Mayor, Dr. Roger Mbassa Ndine, the brain behind the initiative, called for inclusive development, declaring that “this is not just a meeting of experts but a shared mission to build a better, greener, and more cohesive city”.

This year’s theme: “Respect for Urban Planning Rules and Improving the Living Environment in Douala: How Can We Act Together for an Attractive and Emerging City?”, served as a compass for participants. It reflected the city’s urgent need to balance rapid urbanisation with regulation, planning, and inclusivity.

Coordinator of the event, Bep A. Ikoue, highlighted the current urban challenges, citing inconsistent practices and poor coordination among actors as major stumbling blocks. 

“A unified and disciplined approach is critical,” he emphasized, urging both authorities and citizens to adopt a shared vision for Douala’s transformation.

Among the standout announcements of the 2025 edition was the introduction of a digitised urban planning system. Authorities revealed plans to launch an entirely electronic platform for processing urban planning documents — including building permits and land use certificates. 

The move is set to modernise administrative procedures, fight corruption, and improve transparency in real estate and construction sectors. Attendees were given live demonstrations of this system, showcasing its potential to revolutionise service delivery in urban governance.

Throughout the event, panels and lectures dissected themes critical to Douala’s urban evolution including; land use optimisation, financing infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and construction insurance. 

A notable moment came with the keynote address by urban planner and economist, Jean Yango, who presented a strategic framework aligning Douala’s urban vision with environmental sustainability and economic ambition.

Beyond the technical discourse, the Urban Planning Days also encouraged citizen creativity and participation. Through competitions in architecture, design, and short filmmaking, residents were invited to reimagine their city. One contest sought the most iconic building constructed in the last three years, another invited urban furniture designs, reflecting Douala’s cultural identity and a video contest challenged creatives to capture life in Douala through poetic, documentary, or artistic lenses.

At the heart of discussions was the Land Occupation Plan, a reference tool critical for issuing building permits. It defines zoning plans and construction rights by area, enabling city officials to anticipate and control future developments. Its goal, to prevent inappropriate land use, preserve green spaces, manage construction forms, and promote a harmonious urban landscape. 

Complementing the plan, are procedures for obtaining lot subdivision authorisations, which now require detailed plans by registered urban planners and surveyors, property certificates, and topographic site analysis, ensuring orderly and compliant urban growth.

This is in a bid to make the city of Douala, a reliable place among Africa’s most forward-looking cities. This will be via collaboration, digital transformation, and a commitment to participatory planning, thereby actively laying the foundation for a livable, inclusive, and resilient urban future, that also seeks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3476 of Tuesday June 17, 2025