Taliban Administration Approves Herat’s Master Urban Development Plan
Local officials in Herat have announced that the comprehensive master plan for the city has been approved by the high council of the Taliban administration’s prime ministry after nearly two years of technical studies and field surveys. According to them, this document will determine the framework for Herat’s urban development in the coming years.
Mufti Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi, spokesperson for the governor of Herat, stated that this is the first time such a comprehensive urban document has been prepared and approved in the history of the province. He explained that the master plan was developed in cooperation with the local Herat administration, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, and the provincial Urban Development and Housing Directorate, and it will serve as a roadmap for the city’s growth and development.
According to the details provided, the plan focuses on defining land uses in residential, commercial, industrial, service, and recreational sectors. It also includes the development of a new city span over 50,000 jeribs of land, expansion of the road network, creation of industrial zones, development of logistics centers, reduction of traffic congestion, increase in green spaces, and the protection of historical and cultural sites.
The document emphasizes the development of urban infrastructure such as water supply and sewage systems, prevention of non-standard constructions, job creation opportunities, and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
While local officials speak of Herat entering a new phase of sustainable development, citizens and urban experts have consistently stressed that the implementation of such plans requires transparency, specialized management, budget allocation, and genuine public participation. In recent years, lack of effective supervision and the proliferation of unauthorized construction have been major challenges in the city. Current attention is focused on how this master plan will be practically implemented and the extent of accountability of the Taliban administration concerning it.
