UN: Maimana’s Urban Area Tripled Over Past 25 Years Amid Planning Concerns
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has reported that the city of Maimana, the capital of Faryab province, has experienced significant urban growth over the past 25 years, with its area nearly tripling in size.
UN-Habitat emphasized that urban expansion can create opportunities—but only if accompanied by careful planning and design. Otherwise, basic services such as water, electricity, healthcare, and education are likely to be disrupted, while informal settlements on the outskirts of the city could proliferate.
The agency warned that without responsible urban management, the spread of informal settlements may lead to economic, social, and environmental challenges for residents.
Although urban growth in Afghanistan could drive sustainable development, the absence of a legal authority and the lack of technical capacity within the Taliban administration hinder the creation of effective urban policies. This situation puts citizens’ hopes for a livable and equitable urban environment at risk.
The UN office recommended that cities like Maimana be redesigned with a sustainable, inclusive, and comprehensive approach, to better meet the growing needs of the population.
