UN Warns of Urban Planning Crisis Amid Rising Displacement in Afghanistan

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Afghanistan has warned of the consequences of a lack of effective urban planning and management in the country. The agency cautioned that as internal displacement increases, the absence of well-designed urban strategies is leading to the emergence of informal settlements and urban sprawl around cities.

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 10, UN-Habitat emphasized that the lack of a clear framework for urban development not only deepens economic and social challenges, but also exacerbates urban poverty and causes tensions between host communities and displaced populations.

The organization added that targeted investment in urban infrastructure and the provision of basic services can pave the way for displaced people to constructively contribute to the development of host cities. UN-Habitat called on all stakeholders to adopt balanced urban development plans that take demographic shifts into account.

This warning comes at a time when the Taliban administration, which lacks international legitimacy, has failed to present any long-term strategies for managing urbanization or addressing the basic needs of internally displaced persons. The Taliban has largely focused on consolidating power, while comprehensive plans for sustainable urban development and national economic recovery have been sidelined.