Reunion

Havana, February  18 (RHC)--Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced on Thursday the approval of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers for the creation of the National Institute of Territorial Planning and Urbanism.

The new member of the Central State Administration Organisms will absorb the current Institute of Physical Planning (IPF). The head of Government cataloged its constitution as very necessary since it entails structural, functional, and organizational changes, the Presidency's website published.

Speaking at the working meeting on the physical planning system's priorities for 2021 and evaluating what was done in 2020, Marrero explained that the new body would allow everything approved in this area to be within the scope of what is regulated.

No one has the right to build or execute something in a territory that violates what was established or approved in the land management plan. He added and specified that the entity would allow facing in better conditions the illegalities in housing around these issues.

The Institute's missions include enforcing the territorial and urban management plans approved by the Council of Ministers and advancing in the urban plan, coastal settlements, and regulations to adapt to climate change.

The head of Government added that it would also have to complete the updating and computerization of the Urban Cadastre, which is essential for carrying out these plans.

Among the challenges mentioned is that of simplifying and facilitating procedures for the population, something that currently generates numerous concerns and solving the problems associated with uncontrolled and illegal internal migration, sometimes accumulated over time.

It will also have to efficiently and effectively execute its role about the policy for non-state forms of management and eliminate the constructions that remain on the dunes of the beaches.

Marrero acknowledged the work of the IPF during 2020 when despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the work did not stop, and several land-use plans for cities and other human settlements were approved.

The president of the IPF, Samuel Rodiles, commented on applying science and innovation and the links with universities, which led to the creation of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Sector Program for Land Use Planning and Urban Development.

This program will allow joining efforts to execute the National Scheme for Land Use and Urban Planning, the State Plan for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda, and the Life Task, which is articulated with the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.