Kabul Urban Survey - Groupe URD

- This analysis was used for the “Afghanistan: Kabul Urban Reconstruction Project” 55 , a
Technical Annex document of the International Development Association (IDA) in July
2004.
- On 13-15 August 2005, a meeting was held for the “KURP Project launch program” with
the MoF, the MUDH, KM, the MOI, the World Bank, and with the participation of UN-
HABITAT and the Agar Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
- Several technical programmes are included in the KURP: Afghanistan Urban Waste
Management Project, Afghanistan Urban Land Management and Kabul University Urban
Learning Program.
- The “Kabul Urban Reconstruction Project” was presented by the PMU Team, and Eng.
ABDUL AHAD (W), Leader KURP/MUDH in November 2005.
Rehabilitation issues
Need for rehabilitation guidelines
Further to this rehabilitation programme, there is a need for guidelines for all types of
programme being implemented in the city: rehabilitation of the old centre with
preservation of urban and architectural heritage, as well as any restoration in the city.
6.2.2 Development vision, programmes and risks
“Kabul has grown at a rate of approximately 15% per year since 1999 and its projected
growth is 5% (3 migrants, 3% natural growth), representing 150 000 new people per year.
This burgeoning growth has raised debates on how accommodate the city’ expansion and
how to develop the existing city.” 56 In order to resolve some urban issues, especially housing
needs over the next few years due to population growth, there are two strategies:
- Afghan authorities would like to expand the city through the creation of a new Kabul city
outside the existing urban area;
- The main international urban actors with the World Bank recommend an approach based
on various phases that will be implemented on different timescales and in different areas.
• Point of view of international organisations
Existing settlements cannot be displaced without provoking riots. The “informal settlements”
have the financial advantage that they have already been built and the building has been
funded by their inhabitants. The population participates in Kabul’s economy: not everyone in
illegal or informal situations is poor.
To a certain extent, international aid and international funds for the reconstruction of the
country can be understood as aid for the rehabilitation of an existing situation. In 2006, the
World Bank raised the question “Should Kabul grow by expanding to a new town or by
building up its existing suburbs” and put forward the following response: “the answer lies in
its existing spatial and built-up environment 57 ”.
• The Afghan point of view
The initial reasoning of Afghan stakeholders was simple: the 1978 Master Plan laid down
plans for Kabul city for 2 million inhabitants. Today, the population is estimated at around 4
million and is increasing every day so therefore it was deemed necessary to build a new city
for 2 million people. Another strategy put forward by the Afghan government was to give the
private sector the necessary space, with the idea that private investment, via entrepreneurs
or private companies, could be found for the new town, with an adequate road network and
infrastructure, plus the possibility of developing different types of buildings, such as markets,
resorts, etc.
55 IDA, International Development Association, July 2004 “Afghanistan: Kabul Urban Reconstruction
Project”, Technical Annexe
56 World Bank, January 2006 Kabul Urban Policy notes Series n°3
57 World Bank, idem note n 51
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