Urban Management Platform Fosters Discussion on Urban Development in Vientiane

The Urban Management Platform of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to tackle urban development policies and issues in Vientiane, such as land administration, investment in urban development, and revision of the transport master plan. The first meeting reviewed current land management practices. Government officials and JICA specialists attended, reported the Vientiane Times on 18 February 2022. 

Ms. Souvan Keophantai, Deputy Director of the Land Division, cited the need to improve information systems, the land survey system, the information network, and digitalization of land databases. Moving toward a digital system and away from a paper-based system will make the land management process more efficient, less costly, and make systems more transparent. She also shared  the need to improve legislation and increase skilled technical experts in Lao PDR and budget to support data transformation.  

The Urban Management Platform is an initiative under the Project for Capacity Development on Urban Development Control and Promotion. The platform was set up to facilitate discussions about ongoing issues in urban development with the public sector, as well as other stakeholders, including citizens, private companies, and institutions. 

The GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) [3] encourages a holistic approach [4] to the future planning of cities so that they are green, smart, competitive, resilient, safe, and inclusive. It also promotes linkages between cities to develop new urban clusters and maximize economies of agglomeration, develop cities in border areas, create linkages with special economic and industrial zones, and improve waste management and pollution in cities located close to GMS rivers and seas.