Sri Lanka has announced a transition to a new urban development model based on integrated housing systems, climate resilience, and the protection of citizens' rights to decent housing, a Sri Lankan representative said at the remark at a ministerial roundtable during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
According to Report, he stated that the country's authorities view housing policy not as a separate policy area, but as fundamental economic infrastructure that directly impacts the population's quality of life.
"Housing is not an isolated sector. It is a basic economic infrastructure that determines health, education, and human dignity," he emphasized.
The Sri Lankan representative noted that the main goal of the new development model is to create integrated urban systems capable of ensuring social inclusion and creating economic opportunities for the population.
He also noted the significant challenges the country has faced in implementing the New Urban Agenda due to the impact of climate disasters. In particular, tropical cyclone Gita in 2018 was a key test.
"Cyclone Gita was a turning point, revealing the structural vulnerabilities of our urban settlements," the country's representative stated.
According to him, Sri Lanka is currently undertaking a large-scale reform of its urban governance system, moving from fragmented services to integrated development models.
As part of this reform, the country's representative noted, a special government agency is being created to protect the Central Highlands, which is critical to the country's ecosystem and water security.