Kabul Urban Survey - Groupe URD

municipalities.” 10 : A new Municipal law which is currently being prepared, needs to take into
account the new urban institutional context as well the old prerogatives.
• Urban policy issue at Municipal level
Pathak gives a detailed analyse of Kabul urban issues, component by component,
highlighting the lack of clear distribution of different urban responsibilities and deficiencies in
urban planning capacity.
Need for a clearer definition of the role of Kabul Municipality
One of the major difficulties for the Municipality of Kabul is ensuring that it is recognised as
the main decision maker for Kabul city, in contrast with other Afghan cities where the MoUD
has the ultimate say. “… Kabul Municipality governing the capital city has special status,
which is equivalent to a ministry.”
Lack of clarity on Institutional roles and responsibilities and weak coordination
“[…] For instance, there is conflict over urban planning and control function between KM and
the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (MUDH) […] there are few and week
organizational coordination mechanisms to facilitate inter-ministerial policy dialogue and
investment decision making… Lack of coordination is also partially a result of the national
and local governments not having the skills or capacity to consult each”
Gap between pilot rehabilitation projects and scale of informal development issues
“ …According to the latest estimates, about 2.8 million people are living in informally
developed areas in Kabul. Dealing with the informally developed areas, for providing legal
status as wells as infrastructure and services, is a major problem especially since a planning
framework is not available to guide the formalization process in the city. Suspension of the
Kabul Master Plan-1978 and unavailability of an updated Development Plan has created a
vacuum for future legal development of the city. The institutional confusion between KM and
MUDH over who should plan for Kabul City is one of the major unresolved issues, which is
preventing a revised development plan preparation for the city.[…] A few informal settlement
upgrading pilots in Kabul, including the completed EC-III/UNHABITAT project, and currently
being implemented EC-V/UNHABITAT project, WB-KURP, USAID-EMG/LTERA projects, are
not adequate to respond to the scale of the problem of informal settlements.”
Absence of urban land policy and outdated urban land management
“…There are several problems associated with outdated urban land management system in
Afghanistan, and in Kabul : Outdated land Information system; lack of fund in KM for land
acquisition for public us; roads and other public utilities; efficient land dispute resolution
system is not operational; the rules and regulations, such as the Land Acquisition Law, are
outdated in regard with the present urban contexts.”
Lack of appropriate service delivery standards
This is the most urgent problem for 80% of the urban population: “…The poor conditions of
road, chaotic traffic, inadequate water supply, appalling sanitation conditions and high levels
of air pollution have adverse impact on the health and quality of life of the people…”
High levels of poverty and vulnerability
“…Going by the extent of informally developed areas and high number of returnees and IDPs
it can be stated that poverty and vulnerability levels are very high in Kabul city.”
Pathak highlights the weaknesses and insufficient capacity and transparency in funding,
planning and management in the Municipality with the following problems:
10 Mac Ausland P., “Municipal Law in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan An Issues and Options Paper
Draft, August 2005
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