By Millicent Senava Mannah

A bold vision to reshape Sierra Leone’s urban future took center stage on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, as the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), in collaboration with A.R.S Progetti S.P.A and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, hosted a high-level stakeholder validation workshop at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. Supported by the African Development Bank, through both technical and financial assistance, the event marked a significant milestone in the advancement of the Lungi Spatial Development Project.

Aimed at transforming Lungi into Sierra Leone’s future Administrative and Financial City, the project aspires to drive inclusive growth, enhance environmental sustainability and establish a new model of spatial planning for national development. The workshop brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives from key Government Ministries, Civil Society Organizations, academia and international development partners, to evaluate and validate the draft Spatial Development Framework.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Joseph Macarthy, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, outlined the primary objectives of the workshop. Dr. Joseph Macarthy emphasized that the session was convened to critically review the draft Spatial Development Framework for Lungi, integrate stakeholder perspectives and ensure alignment with Sierra Leone’s broader national development strategies. According to him, the vision to transform Lungi into a resilient, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable city can only be realized through collaborative and evidence-based planning.

The Executive Director detailed the planning milestones already achieved, including the preparation of an inception report, institutional analysis and a comprehensive situational assessment. He further highlighted the role of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, which he described as a crucial instrument for identifying potential risks and recommending appropriate safeguards throughout the project’s implementation.

Participants engaged in intensive discussions on various components of the Spatial Development Framework, including the Situation Analysis, SWOT Assessment, Guiding Principles and the overall Vision Statement. The proposed development strategy rests on three foundational pillars : Protect, Develop and Synthesize intended to conserve Lungi’s natural resources, enable structured urban expansion and improve connectivity and service delivery across the region.

Lively plenary sessions and focused breakout discussions allowed stakeholders to examine priority themes such as urban governance, land use planning, environmental resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Throughout the day, participants shared technical feedback and offered strategic recommendations to improve the framework’s relevance, feasibility and long-term impact. Particular attention was given to the findings of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, which addressed the potential environmental and social consequences of large-scale urban development and proposed mitigation measures to ensure sustainability.

At the conclusion of the workshop, stakeholders expressed strong support for the vision laid out in the draft Spatial Development Framework. They reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration and emphasized the importance of continued stakeholder engagement as the framework progresses toward finalization.

The revised Spatial Development Framework for Lungi, now reflecting the diverse insights gathered during the validation process, will be submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning for formal endorsement. Once adopted, the framework will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for Lungi’s transformation into a modern, inclusive and dynamic administrative and financial center.

This milestone signals a new era of structured and participatory urban planning in Sierra Leone, setting the stage for Lungi to emerge as a model city that embodies the principles of sustainability, resilience and equitable development.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/slurc-validates-vision-to-transform-lungi-into-premier-administrative-and-financial-hub/