The Ministry of Public Works and Housing has initiated the development of a strategic study to establish systems of vigilance and prevention against floods to protect Tunisian cities from this recurring phenomenon for 12 MD.

This study will prioritise the establishment of a geographical database and digital models to take the necessary steps in this area, said Friday, Minister of Public Works and Housing Sarra Zaafrani, at a conference held on the occasion of World Cities Day and the Arab Housing Day.

She stressed that the protection of cities against flooding is one of the greatest challenges facing Tunisia … due to climate change and the expansion of urban areas, especially since the infrastructure is an essential means in the channelling of stormwater and protection of modern cities and the flood protection system is the guarantor of the continuity and sustainability of all components of urban environment.

Facing these challenges requires the acceleration of the adoption of urban measures ensuring zero carbon and clean and sustainable cities, she added, recalling in this context that the services of the Directorate of Urban Water have achieved in 2021, nearly 39 projects with an overall cost of 207 MD, like the protection project of Tunis West, which should ensure the protection of 500 thousand inhabitants against flooding.

She also said that his department has embarked on the revision of the rules of construction and land use planning in order to initiate reforms through the revision of the code of land use and urban planning and the development of the plan of guidance for the development of the national territory in order to establish a new policy based on strategic planning tools more efficient and flexible.

The World Habitat Day is celebrated this year on the theme “accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world”.

Source: Tap News Agency